US3757024A

US3757024A - Musical instrument

Info

Publication number: US3757024A
Application number: US00504869A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Stinson; I Noon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-10-24
Filing date: 1965-10-24
Publication date: 1973-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-04
Also published as: GB1142532A

Abstract

A musical instrument includes an auxiliary keyboard having one set of keys for playing chromatic scales and a second set of keys for playing arpeggios. The first set of keys is connected in parallel with one manual, and the second set of keys is connected in series with the other manual whereby chords played on such other manual enable the playing of arpeggios by a successive operation of successive keys.

Description

Uted States Patent 11 1 Stinson, Jr. et ai.

1451 Sept. 4, 1973 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT [76] Inventors: I-Ierman B. Stinson, Jr., 346 Medina Dr., Warson Woods, Mo.; Ivor G. Noon, 7821 Ravensridge, St. Louis, Mo. 63119 122 Filed: Oct. 24, 1965 21 Appl.No.:504,869

[52] (1.8. CI 84/l.17, 84/424, 84/425 [51] Int. Cl. Gl0l1 1/00 [58] Field oi Search 84/1.01, 423, 424, 84/425, 427, 428, 1.17, 1.09, 1.1, 1.27, 433, DIG. 7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,198,055 8/1965 Von Gunten s4 1.17x 3,227,027 1/1966 Von Gunten 3,358,070 12/1967 Young 1,239,609 9/1917 Little 84/425 2,832,251 4/1958 Hayslett 84/423 X 2,873,637 2/1959 Herold 84/DIG. 7

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 614,940 12 1926 France 84/423 266,760 8/1929 Italy 84/423 132,345 4 1929 Switzerland 84/423 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Stanley J. Witkowski Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A musical instrument includes an auxiliary keyboard having one set of keys for playing chromatic scales and a second set of keys for playing arpeggios. The first set of keys is connected in parallel with one manual, and the second set of keys is connected in' series with the other manual whereby chords played on such other manual enable the playing of arpeggios. by a successive operation of successive keys.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT This invention relates generally to a musical instrument such as of the organ type, and more specifically the instrument as to facilitate playing of chromatic scales and arpeggios.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various organs, a particularly useful application is made in an organ of the electronic type, such as one employing an upper and a lower manual. The development of certain playing skills or techniques for instruments having a pianoforte type of keyboard normally requires years of lessons and diligent practice. The rapid smooth performance of a chromatic scale is not easily accomplished by a beginner. The rapid playing of an arpeggio of even a simple chord is likewise dif ficult for a beginner to accomplish. Other playing techniques and skills mentioned later herein are also difficult for the beginner and certain ones would be considered .by professionals as being impossible-to perform.

By means of our invention, the performance of the above-mentioned playing techniques is rendered simple and easy for both the beginner and the professional, and this invention opens new vistas of musical composition, performance, and the like. This result is achieved by the use of an auxiliary keyboard so disposed that the conventional keyboard and the auxiliary keyboard may both be engaged by the same hand simultaneously. The

auxiliary keyboard is unique in that it includes all of the notes in a chromatic scale while its keys for such chromatic scale are of uniform height or level,.thereby enabling the fingers or the palm to move smoothly and rapidly along a series of keys without lifting the hand or fingers. Further, the keys are characterized by an extremely low travel so that very little vertical movement of the hand is necessary once the hand engages the keys.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel musical instrument.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an organ having an auxiliary keyboard so constructed as to facilitate the playing of chromatic scales and arpeggios.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard which will enable a person having little musical training to improvise music wherein the improvisations include right-hand tones which are automatically harmonically related with chord notes being played by the left hand.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an organ having four manuals.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an instrument so constructed that a chromatic scale may be played wherein each note" of the scale actually comprises a group of two, three or four harmonically related notes substantially within therange of one octave.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an organ on which harp-like glissandos of the chromatic type and of the arpeggio type may be readily produced.

Yet another object is the provision of means by which an organist may play instrumental slurs and smears such as the opening clarinet slur in Rhapsody in Blue. Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description-and to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

ON THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the upper part of a musical organ employing an auxiliary keyboard provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the auxiliary keyboard of FIG. 1 with parts removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the auxiliary keyboard with parts removed at one end thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a number of arpeggiokeys shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line V-V of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic diagram of representative portions of the auxiliary keyboard together with representative associated components of the musical instrument, such as an electronic organ; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of auxiliary keyboard.

AS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a musical organ, such as an electronic organ, the upper portion of which is shown in FIG. 1 and which is generally indicated by the numeral 10. The portions of the organ 10 not illustrated include the conventional cabinet, pedal keys, and the like as are well known. The organ 10 includes a lower key manual generally indicated at 11, an upper key manual generally indicated at 12, and a set of tabs or voicing stops generally indicated at 13. The lower key manual includes key switches which are connected to couple conventional tone signal sources to an output means such as an amplifier and speaker, such key switches being in series with switches under the control of various ones of the tab switches 13. Thus, as is conventional, various voicings may be made available and produced by playing of the keys of the lower key manual 11. Similarly, the upper key manual 12 is associated with various tone signal sources likewise under the control of others of the tab switches 13, as is also conven- I at 15, and a second set of arpeggio keys generally indicated at 16. The auxiliary keyboard thus has two manuals of keys which respectively comprise the chromatic keys 15 and the arpeggio keys 16. The auxiliary keyboard 14 is disposed at the rear of one of the manuals l1, l2, and in particular, is disposed at the rear of the upper key manual, 12. All of the keys of the auxiliary chromatic manual have upper or fingering surfaces which lie in a single plane, and all of the keys of the auxiliary arpeggio keyboard 16 have upper surfaces which lie in a single or common plane. The auxiliary keyboard 14 is disposed at a vertical height so that the upper or fingering surfaces of its keys lie substantially at the level, height, or plane of the upper surfaces of the black keys of the upper key manual 12. For each of the black keys in the key manual 12, there is a black key in the auxiliary chromatic manual 15, and such auxiliary key is aligned with the key in the main or upper manual. Similarly, there is a white key in the auxiliary chromatic manual 15 which is aligned with a white key in the upper key manual 12. Thus the center-to-center spacing of the keys 15 is the same as that of the keys of the upper manual as shown in FIG. 1. It is emphasized that the black keys and the white keys in the auxiliary chromatic manual 15 are all at a single height. The keys of the auxiliary arpeggio keyboard 16 are aligned with a plurality of the keys in the auxiliary chromatic keyboard 15 and with a plurality of the keys in the upper key manual 12. Thus their center-to-center distance exceeds that of the keys of the upper manual 12 as shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the keys of the auxiliary arpeggio keyboard 16 are aligned with three keys from such other manuals, each. As is brought out in greater detail later herein, the keys of the auxiliary chromatic manual 15 are associated with switches connected in electrical parallel with one of the switches normally used and operated by the upper key manual 12. The keys of the auxiliary arpeggio manual 16 are associated with switches described later herein which tentatively couple the tone signal sources of all of the keys with which each such arpeggio key is aligned, such coupling being to the output means. However, the coupling to none of such tone signal sources is completed until a key in the lower key manual of the same scale letter or note is depressed. Thus, the tones producedby each of the keys in the auxiliary arpeggio manual 16 are under the control of keys in the lower key manual 11.

In FIG. 2, there is illustrated an enlarged fragmentary view of the auxiliary manual 14 with certain keys removed to expose switch elements disposed therebeneath. The auxiliary chromatic manual 15 is composed of a number of white keys 17 and black keys 18, the color being the sole difference between the

chromatic keys

17 and 18. The auxiliary arpeggio manual 16 is composed of a number of wide keys 19 which may be of any color. The arpeggio keys 19 are secured as by a screw 20 to a key rail 21 which underlies all the arpeggio keys 19. Beneath the

chromatic keys

17 and 18 there is disposed a set of key switches 22, while beneath the arpeggio keys 19 there is disposed a set of key switches 23. The set of key switches 22 includes a bus 24 which extends the length of the auxiliary chromatic manual 15. The sets of

key switches

22,23 are so constructed as to employ one element in common to the switches pertaining to one note in the two sets. For each note there is provided a lead 25 which is connected to an appropriate tone signal source at the end not shown in FIG. 2, and such lead extends into the auxiliary keyboard 14 by being secured to a wire-like terminal 26 the outer end of which is secured to the key rail 21. The element 26,extends through a slot 27 in a spacer member 28 and has a forward end 29 disposed at right angles thereto and lying in a horizontal plane.

A further lead wire 30 comprises another element 31 which is likewise secured to the key rail 21 and extends forwardly in parallel spaced relation to the element 26 and in vertically spaced transverse relation to the elementor angle portion 29. The

switch element

26, 29 is fixed, while the switch element 31 is movable up and down in a further slot 32 in the insulating spacer member 28. Because of

such slots

27,32, a stiffener rib 33 is provided on the upper surface of the spacer rib 28 which rib 33 extends along its entire length. Each of the keys 19 is provided with an actuator portion 34 which is integral with the underside thereof at a movable portion thereof and which overlies the

switch elements

31, 26 between the forward edge of th spacer rib 28 and the transverse portions 29. Such actuator portion or structure is shown in broken lines in the middle of FIG. 2, and is more clearly seen in FIG. 4 wherein one of the keys 19 is illustrated from below. The actuator portion 34 has a lateral extension 35 which is received in a slot 36 of the adjacent key 19, namely the key 19 associated with the next higher pitched notes, where such extension 35 as well as the actuator portion 34 of such adjacent key can engage and deflect the element 31 into contact with the contact portion 29. The note that the extension 35 thus also causes to be produced is the note which is nearest in frequency of the notes or keys associated with such next higher playing key. Thus each of the keys 19 is associated with a group of three switches, and its extension 35 is associated with one of the switches of the next higher group. It is not advisable to have more than four of the

switches

29, 31 closed at one time by any one arpeggio key for the most pleasing tonal results. Thus for most left-hand controlled chords, a single tone will be produced by each-arpeggio key 19.

The element 26 of the key switch structure 23 is common to the key switch structure 22, and'to this end there is secured thereto, both mechanically and electrically, a wirelike portion 37 which is guided in a slot 38 provided in an insulated base 39 The element 37 overlies the bus 24 and is engageable therewith when deflected downwardly. Such downward deflection is provided by the associated chromatic key 17 or 18, each of which has an actuator portion 40 integrally molded.

to the lower surface thereof at a movable portion thereof in alignment with the distal or outer end of such element 37 for 'directly engaging and operating the same. The

key switch structures

22, 23 may be employed to conduct'tone signals, and may be employed to conduct coupling potentials, depending upon the nature of the generation system employed in a particular organ. It is to be understood that this invention is not to be restricted to either type of usage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a portion of the aux- I iliary keyboard 14, which view is substantially restricted or obscured in an actual installation by the associated key manual, such as the upper key manual 12.

The insulative base 39 is carried on a frame 41, and beneath the fingering portion of the-

keys

17, 18, there is disposed a felt strip 42 which is engaged by the lower ends of

such keys

17, 18. Likewise, a second felt strip 43 is disposed above the fixed ends of the

keys

17, 18 and is engaged by the lower side of the arpeggio keys 19. The structure of the auxiliary keyboard 14 thus far described is better understood by reference to FIG. 5. The frame 41 comprises a downwardly opening channel member which extends the length of the auxiliary keyboard 14. As shown, each of the arpeggio keys l9 and each of the auxiliary chromatic keys l7 and 18 comprise molded plastic, such keys 17-19 being firmly held and supported at their rear ends so that each extends forwardly as a cantilever. Although the rear key rail 21 has been illustrated as a stack of three parts, it is to be understood that this may comprise a unitary molded piece. Where it is desired to be able to replace the

switch elements

26 or 31, the element 21 may be split at the plane of the supported ends of the elements 31 and the switch elements 26 supported at such plane.

If desired, a quantity of cement or tape 44 may be employed to assist in the assembly. The auxiliary chromatic keys 17 are supported on the insulative base 39 by a forward key rail 45, and at least one lead wire 46 is connected to the bus 24. The structure shown in FIG. 5 is in reality quite small as the drawing is twice as large as the actual parts in heighth and width.

As shown in FIG. 6, the organ includes a conventional output means including an amplifier 47 and a speaker 48. These are coupled by a collector bus 49 to each of a series of tone signal sources 50 respectively having frequencies which correspond to a number of octaves of the equal tempered chromatic scale. A representative number of such tone signal sources 50 is shown. However, it is to be understood that corresponding structure is provided for every key or note within the range of the auxiliary keyboard 14. In a well known type of organ construction, a coupling potential 8+ is supplied to a keying bus 51 common to a number of keying switches 52 which are closed by actuation of the keys of the upper key manual 12. Closing one of the switches 52 causes a B+ potential to be applied to the corresponding tone signal source 50, thereby rendering it operative or coupled to the output means 47, 48. In like manner, the keys of the lower key manual 11 are provided with a number of key switches (not shown but similar to the switches 52) each having an element disposed to contact a keying bus such as 51 of the upper manual, common to all of the lower manual key switches. Closing of any of such switches causes a coupling potential to be conducted to other appropriate tone signal sources 50. By the use of the upper key manual 12 and its key switches 52, and by the use of the lower key manual 11 and its similar key switches, the organ 10 is played in a conventional manner.

The structural configuration of the arpeggio key switches 23 and the auxiliary chromatic key switches 22 is described above in connection with FlG. 2. Schematically, these switches and structures appear in the rectangular areas corresponding to the

switches

23 and 22. Thus each of the

first switch elements

26, 29, 37 is connected to a tone signal source 50 by means of the wire 25, the second element or bus 24 common to all the auxiliary chromatic keyboard switches 22 is connected by the wire 46 to a source of coupling potential 8+, and the third element 31 of the arpeggio switches 23 is connected by a lead wire 30 to the movable element of one of a number of intelligence switches 53 actuated by the keys 1] of the lower key manual 11 which coact with a further B+ bus 54. In addition, the wire 30 leading from the element 31 of each key structure is connected to all other elements 31 which are associated with octavely related key switch structures. This is illustrated in the instance of the wire 30 for a line denoted as F which is thus associated with each of the F notes in all the octaves of the auxiliary keyboard 14. In

like manner a line designated as E is connected to the corresponding element of all of the arpeggio switches for keying E notes. Ten other lines such as E and F are employed for the other notes of the chromatic octave, but have been omitted from the drawing for simplicity of illustration. The line 30 or F line is connectedto the movable element of all of the intelligence switches 53 associated with F keys in the lower manual 11, and in like manner the E line and the other lines not illustrated are connected to the movable element of all intelligence switches associated with a correspondingly designated key or frequency.

With the tabs controlling the B+ switches closed, the organ 10 is played in a conventional manner even though the bus 24 is energized. Thus when one of the upper manual switches 52 is closed by playing of the associated key, a certain sound or tone will be produced by the output means. The same sound or tone is produced by depressing the associated auxiliary chromatic key and hence by effecting closing or engaging of the switch element 37 with the bus 24. However, the musicians finger can be slid rapidly along the upper surface of the auxiliary

chromatic keys

18, 17 thereby coupling the various tone signal sources to the output means in rapid succession as if the musician were expertly playing a chromatic scale on the regular or upper manual. If the musician chooses, he may simultaneously depress two keys on the auxiliary chromatic manual 15, such as C and E, and with the fingers stiffly held at the interval necessary to engage those keys, the hand may be moved to the left or the right relatively rapidly, thus producing the simultaneous playing of two chromatic scales which are a third apart, and thus in the nature of a duet. If the notes designated C, E and G are simultaneously depressed on the auxiliary chromatic manual 15, a chord which comprises a major triad is produced. By moving the hand stiffly to the left or the right, a trio of chromatic scales are simultaneously performed wherein a chord is at all times sounding. By holding the fingers in other rigid conformations, the other types of harmonic chords may be produced and converted into a rapid succession of chords chromatically related to each other. Thus a playing technique is brought about which is beyond the ability of a trained musician using a conventional keyboard.

The foregoing effects can be greatly expanded depending upon the selection of settings employed for the tabs 13. For example, if the upper manual is set to produce a harp-like tone, a harp glissando can be produced by running one finger back and forth on the auxiliary chromatic manual 14. As a further example, if the tabs 13 are so set as to give a clarinet tone to the upper manual, the musician may play portions of the passage on the conventional upper key manual 12, and without relinquishing release thereon, pick up the same note on the auxiliary chromatic manual and then rapidly slide or slur to some distant note which is also picked up by another finger or the thumb on the adjacent upper key manual.

As there are 12 notes in a chromatic octave, and since chords normally have three or four notes which make them up, and as they are approximately uniformly spaced, the playing of a chord with the left hand on the lower manual will usually complete the circuit for one of the switches associated with each of the arpeggio keys 19. However, when a three-note chord is played, one of the keys 19 in an octave would likely be non-productive of a tone when depressed. However, this problem is avoided by use of the extensions 35 on the keys 19, so that an otherwise dead key may be expected to be sounded. When a four-note chord is held by the left hand in almost every instance there will be one of the corresponding notes in the arpeggio produced by each of the several keys. The structure thus described produces a balanced arpeggio wherein the note produced by one key is not released or silenced until the note produced by the next key is initiated by engagement of such next key with the finger. Thus the arpeggios are continuous, and are expected to be devoid of gaps between notes corresponding to notes that are not present in the arpeggio being played. Thus a freedom from loping in the sound is obtained. In order that the fingers may move smoothly on each of the keys 17-19, the playing portions thereof are beveled at their sides as best seen in FIG. 2 to facilitate the smooth sliding of the finger to the left or the right.

It is to be understood that the lower key manual 11 may comprise an arrangement of preset chord-button switches, which would not affect the circuitry hereof.

The auxiliary key board 14 may also be employed to produce duet arpeggios wherein two arpeggio keys 19 are depressed at the same time as the hand moves from the left to the right or returns. Also, a greater number of arpeggio keys may be depressed at one time, thereby permitting rapid inversions of any chord. With this keying structure, the musician is enabled to improvise by simultaneously composing and performing on the spur of the moment without any preparation which may be performed just as easily as one-note melodies or the like.

The auxiliary keyboard 14 may comprise original equipment, and may be constructed in kit form for converting existing organs into a four-manual organ of the type described herein.

A modified form of auxiliary keyboard is shown in FIG. 7, generally indicated by the numeral 56. This keyboard includes a frame 57 having a key rail 58 supported on an insulative base 59, and to which key rail 58 there is secured a number of chromatic keys 60 which are substantially the same as the

chromatic keys

17 and 18. The line 25 is connected to a single flexible first element 61 which corresponds to the element 26 which engages the bus 24 and an individual contact 62 for each key, corresponding to the element 31. When the form of auxiliary key switch 56 shown in FIG. 7 is connected into the circuit shown in FIG. 6, and all B+ switches are closed, the keys 60 will perform in exactly the same manner as the auxiliary chromatic manual described above. In order for this manual to function as an arpeggio keyboard, it is necessary to open a 8+ switch 63 shown in FIG. 6 whereby only the circuits tentatively closed by the switch 61,62 will be completed on closing of a corresponding lower manual keyboard switch 53.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim:

1. A musical organ comprising in combination:

a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale;

b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds;

c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and

d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals and substantially at the same level and all constructed to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by the immediately adjacent keys of said one manual, the keys of said auxiliary manual having a center-to-center spacing at least as great as that of said upper and lower manuals.

2. A musical organ comprising in combination:

b.,output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds;

d. an auxiliary keyboard having two manuals of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals, a first of said auxiliary manuals including a set of chromatic keys respectively aligned with the keys of said one manual, and all such chromatic keys lying in a common plane, and a second of said auxiliary manuals including a set of keys each aligned with a plurality of the keys in said one manual, said auxiliary manuals being operative to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said one manual.

3. An organ as claimed in claim 2 wherein the auxiliary keyboard is disposed at the rear of said upper key manual.

4. A musical organ comprising in combination:

d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals and all constructed to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by the keys of said one manual, each of said auxiliary keys being aligned with a plurality of keys in said one manual, and each being operative to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said plurality of keys of said one manual.

5. An organ as claimed in claim 4 wherein said transfer by said auxiliary keys is under the further control of the keys of the other of said upper and lower manuals.

6. An organ as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said auxiliary keys is aligned with three keys in said one manual.

7. An organ as claimed in claim 4 wherein each. of said auxiliary keys has a lateral extension operative to effect transfer of one of the tone signals associated with an immediately adjacent key, the frequency of said one tone signal being the one nearest to those of the said plurality of keys.

8. An organ as claimed in claim 7 wherein said immediately adjacent key is the next higher pitched key.

9. An organ as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said auxiliary keys is operative to transfer a maximum of four chromatically consecutive tone signals.

10. A musical organ comprising in combination:

c. a chromatic key manual, of the type wherein the black keys extend upwardly from the white keys, constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and

d. an auxiliary keyboard having at least one manual of keys disposed at the rear of and near the level of said first named manual, said auxiliary keys respectively aligned with the keys of said first named manual and all said auxiliary keys having fingered surfaces lying in a common plane, said auxiliary keys being operative to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said first named manual.

11. An organ as claimed in claim 10 in which said first named manual comprises an upper and a lower key manual, said auxiliary keyboard being disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower key manuals, said transfer by said auxiliary keys being under the further control of the keys of the other of said upper and lower manuals.

12. A musical organ comprising in combination:

c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means;

d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals;

e. a set of key switches under the control of the other of said upper and lower manuals; and

f. a set of switch structures respectively operatively associated with each of said auxiliary keys, and each having a first element electrically connected to one of said tone signal sources respectively which are controlled by said one manual, a second element common to all said switch structures and engageable with the first elements for also effecting transfer of the tone signals to said converting means, and a third element engageable with the corresponding first element and connected in series with said set of key switches for still further effecting transfer of the tone signals to said output means when a corresponding key of said other manual is depressed.

13. A musical organ comprising in combination:

d. an auxiliary keyboard comprising,

1. a frame disposed at the rear of said manual,

2. an auxiliary manual of individual resilient plastic keys, each of said keys being rigidly secured at its rear end to said frame and being deflectable at its forward end as a cantilever by bending of plastic in response to fingering thereof, the upper surface of all said auxiliary keys lying in a common plane, each of said plastic keys including an actuator portion integral with the lower side thereof at a movable portion of such key, and

3. a set of key switches disposed beneath said cantilevered keys, and each including a movable element engaged by said actuator portion of the associated key, said key switches being connected to said tone signal sources for effecting transfer of tone signals to said output means.

14. An organ as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said cantilevered plastic keys simultaneously mechanically actuates a plurality of said key switches.

15. A musical organ comprising in combination:

d. an arpeggio keyboard having a series of keys wherein the fingering surfaces lie in a common plane;

e. a series of key switches comprising a number of groups of switches which number corresponds to the number of arpeggio keys, each said group of switches being responsive to one of said arpeggio keys, and being operative to tentatively couple a corresponding group of said signal sources associated with one of said manuals to said output means; and 1 f. a further series of key switches respectively under the control of the keys of the other of said manuals, and respectively connected in series with corresponding arpeggio key switches for completing said coupling.

16. A musical organ comprising in combination:

d. an arpeggio keyboard having a series of keys wherein the fingering surfaces lie in a common plane, the keys of said arpeggio keyboard having a center-to-center spacing at least as great as that of said upper and lower key manuals;

e. a series of key switches, each of said switches being responsive to one of said arpeggio keys, and being operative to tentatively couple a corresponding sig nal source associated with one of said manuals to said output means; and

. a further series of key switches respectively under the control of the keys of the other of said manuals,

and respectively connected in series with corresponding arpeggio key switches for completing said coupling.

is s r

Claims

1. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals and substantially at the same level and all constructed to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by the immediately adjacent keys of said one manual, the keys of said auxiliary manual having a center-to-center spacing at least as great as that of said upper and lower manuals.

2. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and d. an auxiliary keyboard having two manuals of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals, a first of said auxiliary manuals including a set of chromatic keys respectively aligned with the keys of said one manual, and all such chromatic keys lying in a common plane, and a second of said auxiliary manuals including a set of keys each aligned with a plurality of the keys in said one manual, said auxiliary manuals being operative to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said one manual.

4. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals and all constructed to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by the keys of said one manual, each of said auxiliary keys being aligned with a plurality of keys in said one manual, and each being operative to effect transfer oF the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said plurality of keys of said one manual.

7. An organ as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said auxiliary keys has a lateral extension operative to effect transfer of one of the tone signals associated with an immediately adjacent key, the frequency of said one tone signal being the one nearest to those of the said plurality of keys.

10. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. a chromatic key manual, of the type wherein the black keys extend upwardly from the white keys, constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and d. an auxiliary keyboard having at least one manual of keys disposed at the rear of and near the level of said first named manual, said auxiliary keys respectively aligned with the keys of said first named manual and all said auxiliary keys having fingered surfaces lying in a common plane, said auxiliary keys being operative to effect transfer of the same tone signals to said output means as are transferred by said first named manual.

12. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; d. an auxiliary manual of keys disposed at the rear of one of said upper and lower manuals; e. a set of key switches under the control of the other of said upper and lower manuals; and f. a set of switch structures respectively operatively associated with each of said auxiliary keys, and each having a first element electrically connected to one of said tone signal sources respectively which are controlled by said one manual, a second element common to all said switch structures and engageable with the first elements for also effecting transfer of the tone signals to said converting means, and a third element engageable with the corresponding first element and connected in series with said set of key switches for still further effecting transfer of the tone signals to said output means when a corresponding key of said other manual is depressed.

13. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. a chromatic key manual, of the type wherein the black keys extend upwardly from the white keys, constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; and d. an auxiliary keyboard comprising,

15. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; d. an arpeggio keyboard having a series of keys wherein the fingering surfaces lie in a common plane; e. a series of key switches comprising a number of groups of switches which number corresponds to the number of arpeggio keys, each said group of switches being responsive to one of said arpeggio keys, and being operative to tentatively couple a corresponding group of said signal sources associated with one of said manuals to said output means; and f. a further series of key switches respectively under the control of the keys of the other of said manuals, and respectively connected in series with corresponding arpeggio key switches for completing said coupling.

16. A musical organ comprising in combination: a. a series of tone signal sources having frequencies corresponding to a chromatic musical scale; b. output means for converting tone signals produced by said tone signal sources into audible sounds; c. an upper key manual and a lower key manual each constructed to effect transfer of tone signals from said sources to said output means; d. an arpeggio keyboard having a series of keys wherein the fingering surfaces lie in a common plane, the keys of said arpeggio keyboard having a center-to-center spacing at least as great as that of said upper and lower key manuals; e. a series of key switches, each of said switches being responsive to one of said arpeggio keys, and being operative to tentatively couple a corresponding signal source associated with one of said manuals to said output means; and f. a further series of key switches respectively under the control of the keys of the other of said manuals, and respectively connected in series with corresponding arpeggio key switches for completing said coupling.