Writing pitch for Hammond Organ

[dazzjazz]

Often when I'm transcribing Hammond organ solos, I wonder about the correct octave to write them in, and also the easiest octave to read them in.

 

Given that the note C3 on the Hammond console, with only the 8' drawbar out, produces Middle C, I could use that as a reference point. However the standard upper manual sound of 888000000, adding the sub-octave pitch, sounds an octave lower.

 

Often the problem is right-hand melodies inhabiting the bass clef. Perhaps if I was strict to the 8' drawbar this wouldn't be an issue, but my ears tell me something different.

 

Perhaps the Hammond organ, in a jazz context, just sounds an octave lower than written.

 

Any other thoughts?

[mate stubb]

Write the pitch of the 8' drawbar, then it will match pipe organ notation. A 16' registration sounds an octave below the played notation - that's the standard.

[Josh Paxton]

I always just write the notes at the pitch they sound at, regardless of the drawbar configuration that gets them there. That is, if I play an A whose fundamental frequency is 440 Hz, I write it as the A above middle C, no matter which A on the keyboard I'm pressing to get it. If the melody gets too low, I deal with it the same way I do for piano music; switch to bass clef, or drop it down to the bass staff of a grand staff, or use 8vb.

 

I'm not versed in pipe organ notation, but from a piano-centric perspective, notating the key rather than the pitch seems very odd to me.

[dazzjazz]

Thanks all good food for thought!

[WesG]

Writing at the 8' makes more sense IMHO. It makes it a bit easier when sight reading - there is a direct correspondence between what line of the staff you are on and what key you press.

[MuzikTeechur]

Great information here - something I hadn't considered, although I've played enough prelude and anthems written in church to be familiar with organ notation.

[Delaware Dave]

Why not add the drawbar settings used so that when someone is reading the music they are also using the correct drawbars and the intended pitch will be correct.