Drawbars

Drawbars

File:Drawbars.jpg

A set of drawbars on a Hammond organ.

Drawbars are a set of sliding controls commonly found on electronic organs and synthesizers. They are used to control the volume of various harmonic components of the sound, allowing the musician to shape the timbre of the instrument.

History

Drawbars were first introduced by the Hammond organ in the 1930s. The concept was developed by Laurens Hammond, the inventor of the Hammond organ, as a way to emulate the sound of a pipe organ using electromechanical technology. The drawbars allowed organists to create a wide variety of sounds by adjusting the levels of different harmonics.

Functionality

Each drawbar controls a specific harmonic or overtone of the sound produced by the organ. By pulling out or pushing in the drawbars, the musician can increase or decrease the volume of these harmonics. The standard Hammond organ has nine drawbars, each corresponding to a different harmonic frequency. The drawbars are typically labeled with numbers from 1 to 8, representing the harmonic series. The first drawbar controls the fundamental frequency, while the others control the higher harmonics. This system allows for a high degree of customization and versatility in sound production.

Usage in Music

Drawbars are a key feature in the sound of the Hammond organ, which has been used extensively in various genres of music, including jazz, blues, rock, and gospel. The ability to shape the sound in real-time makes drawbars a powerful tool for musicians, allowing for expressive and dynamic performances.

Related Pages

• Hammond organ
• Electronic organ
• Synthesizer
• Laurens Hammond
• Harmonic
• Timbre
• Pipe organ