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The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B
Now fully updated ÊThe Hammond Organ: Beauty in the BÊ traces the technological and artistic evolution of the B-3 and other tonewheel organs as well as the whirling Leslie speakers that catapulted the Hammond sound into history. You'll discover the genius that went into the development of Hammond's tonewheel generator drawbar harmonics percussion scanner vibrato and other innovations as well as the incredible assistance Don Leslie provided for Hammond by creating his famous rotating speaker system. Plus ä B-3 legends including soul-jazzman Jimmy McGriff and progressive rocker Keith Emerson share their playing techniques; technical experts offer tips on buying restoring and maintaining Hammonds and Leslies; and over 200 photos illustrate historic Hammond organs Leslie cabinets and B-3 masters at work.
- GenresMusic
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 27, 2026
I have always been a big fan of the growly sound of the Hammond B-3 organ, from Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale," Serge Gainbourg's "Je t'aime… moi non plus", Jimmy Smith, and more recently John Medeski's urban grooves. This book provides a brilliant overview of everything you always wanted to know and understand about the Hammond organ. It is very inspiring and it will help you understand the beast better. I highly recommend this book to any Hammond enthusiast around the world.
August 14, 2015
More than an overview but less than a detailed owner manual, this book aims itself at keyboard players and musicians. Among other fascinating topics, a five-page subsection on how to mic the Leslie speaker for different effects. Two hundred photographs, many in color, illustrate the organ models and many players.
The first Hammond organ unveiled in 1935. Pipe organ manufacturers felt threatened when Hammond advertising described its invention as an organ. A year later, the Federal Trade Commission prosecuted Hammond. A musical showdown took place against a Skinner pipe organ at Rockefeller Chapel, in Hyde Park, Chicago. Blindfolded experts could not tell the difference between the Hammond and the Skinner. Hammond won the right to call its instrument an organ. The 1928 Skinner organ: http://Rockefeller.uchicago.edu/the-o... … I heard the majestic and enthralling Skinner pipe organ when Dad received his MBA from the University of Chicago. The ceremony took place in Rockefeller Chapel. … And by "chapel," we mean a cathedral that seats 1,700 people. http://Rockefeller.uchicago.edu/the-s... …
In the mid-'30s, the Hammond sound began appearing on radio soaps and then on TV soaps. … Dad knew a Chicago redhead who became a B-List actress in Hollywood. On one of our road trips to LA, she gave us a tour of the lots. As we left a soundstage, there sat a Hammond organ, used for one of the daily shows.
Hammond organs appeared everywhere while I grew up on Chicago's north side, not far from the factory. They were common at roller skating rinks, supper clubs, churches. … Laurens Hammond, the inventor-founder of the company, lived in a 1911 building on North State Parkway from 1930 until his retirement in 1960. My newlywed parents set up their first household in the same block, across the street from Mr Hammond.
I have always liked the oozing and undulating sounds of the Hammond organ. This book adds depth and understanding to the experience. Three and a half stars.
For a good overview of the Hammond organ, read The Hammond Organ: An Introduction to the Instrument and the Players Who Made It Famous.
The first Hammond organ unveiled in 1935. Pipe organ manufacturers felt threatened when Hammond advertising described its invention as an organ. A year later, the Federal Trade Commission prosecuted Hammond. A musical showdown took place against a Skinner pipe organ at Rockefeller Chapel, in Hyde Park, Chicago. Blindfolded experts could not tell the difference between the Hammond and the Skinner. Hammond won the right to call its instrument an organ. The 1928 Skinner organ: http://Rockefeller.uchicago.edu/the-o... … I heard the majestic and enthralling Skinner pipe organ when Dad received his MBA from the University of Chicago. The ceremony took place in Rockefeller Chapel. … And by "chapel," we mean a cathedral that seats 1,700 people. http://Rockefeller.uchicago.edu/the-s... …
In the mid-'30s, the Hammond sound began appearing on radio soaps and then on TV soaps. … Dad knew a Chicago redhead who became a B-List actress in Hollywood. On one of our road trips to LA, she gave us a tour of the lots. As we left a soundstage, there sat a Hammond organ, used for one of the daily shows.
Hammond organs appeared everywhere while I grew up on Chicago's north side, not far from the factory. They were common at roller skating rinks, supper clubs, churches. … Laurens Hammond, the inventor-founder of the company, lived in a 1911 building on North State Parkway from 1930 until his retirement in 1960. My newlywed parents set up their first household in the same block, across the street from Mr Hammond.
I have always liked the oozing and undulating sounds of the Hammond organ. This book adds depth and understanding to the experience. Three and a half stars.
For a good overview of the Hammond organ, read The Hammond Organ: An Introduction to the Instrument and the Players Who Made It Famous.
September 10, 2014
Good coverage of the technology, the history, the personalities involved. Easy to read, and interesting enough though I thought there was a little too much name dropping and there might have been more concrete examples. (In other words, references to accessible audio recordings.)
As for Laurens Hammond's original assertion that his invention could reproduce all the sounds of an actual pipe organ: no, it can't. But it is certainly a powerful musical creation in its own right,
Essential reading for organists, popular and jazz musicians, and keyboard players of all sorts.
As for Laurens Hammond's original assertion that his invention could reproduce all the sounds of an actual pipe organ: no, it can't. But it is certainly a powerful musical creation in its own right,
Essential reading for organists, popular and jazz musicians, and keyboard players of all sorts.
March 7, 2010
My inner keyboard-geek is duly satisfied.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews