The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-20
s IBERIA OTIS col [ MN.
4 MEXICAN ORG A Ms.
From "Godtg's Laflies' Book" FEB
f2tdYW. 1865.
REED ORGANS, &c.

The following remarks and suggestions fela
tive TO this immensely popular instrument will
doubtless interest and profit very many OF cur
readers; we commend the article tothcir care
full perusal:
hundred and one makers of Organs. Cot
tage Parlor Cabinet, American. School Or
gans, ETC., are each claiming to make the 6esl
instrument in the world. Being compare
lively a new instrument at present con-
structed, we are convinced the public are
much less capable of Judging of Its merits, or
dement's, than of most other instruments. If
there is really an essential difference in them,
If there are some excellent and worthless ones,
Che public should have some criterion for 'udg-
ing of them, some facts which will enlighten
them We cheerfully concede the space for
This article knowing that there is hardly a
family, or church, or school in all the land
but is moro or less interested in this topic We
are also aware OF It's being great misfortune,
a real calamity to any Of them to purchase az
inferior or worthless Organ, ruinous to good
playing, and often q source of much annoy
ance and veXation. We know this article to
emanate from candid and intelligent source,
End thus We give it to readers.
The question IS often asked what are reed
organs z. We answer. they are. in most cases,
nothing in the world bat the old melodeon in
disguise. Many of the so-called organs have
the same bellows, the same reeds, and the same
general internal arrangement With the bel
lows turned on edge to gain room, they have
simply put on more pretentious exterior, and
more high sounding name. But an organ,
10 be In reality On organ, must have II wind
chest or reservoir for air separate from the
bellows, into which wnd-chest the reeds open.
and the tone has room to expand and perfect
itself into the full round tone, similar to the
aute or pipe organ, even. smooth, firm, and
mellow; and this tone from reeds cannot be
obtained in any other way known. Nothing
50 annogs a true erganst as to have the volume
If sound swelling and Jerking spasmodically
with every variation OF force on the bellows,
which Is always the case where the reeds open
direct into the bellows or ar-passages instead
of wind-chest Or sound-boS. And yet some
makers so far as To claim this spasmodie or
automatic jerking OF the bellows on the reeds
as an excellence, just as though they did rot
snow that It would very soon throw the reeds
though il were not an easier matter to obtain q
much better and mere easily managed swell
by other methods Al'hc truth il, any organ
SO called, or melodespl which has the wind act
ing directly upon ~. reeds. Is nothing more
nor less than huge ACCORDION, dress it up as
you may. And when erganists and true MT
sicans becomeaware Of the fact that they can
obtain those tl at organs i'll fret as well as
IN name, they will buy he more of the OBJ
ieetionabe ones. Then again the swell should
always be separate and aietinct from the bel
lows, SO as not to be aeted on by the hard or
seft blowing, bat convenient, 50 that the play
er can use il with the knee. separate from the
hands feet, and thus always under easy con-
troll, to be used I'D Hbitts'n.
The large divided bellows or double bel
lows, is also very important Improvement
BY this means not only can the wind be sun
piled more evenly. but with far greater ease
to the performer from the fact that either bel
lows alone will be sufficient for the lightest
melodies, thus permitting the player to change
about and rest the feel at Will then, If the
bellows is Of the requisite large size. and
having the wind-chest or reservoir all will be
well. As to the reeds, they must be scientif-
ealy tuned ard and voiced. or all the other