Pump Organ Video Music Clips

The first two video music clips are excellent for a couple of reasons. First, the fellow is playing very well-known 1880's -1890's songs that you're not likely going to hear today, "I'll Be Your Sweetheart," and "Loves Old Sweet Song."

Secondly, he's playing sheet music that was written for the pump organ, and not the piano -- that in its self is unusual. So, what you'll be hear is the real thing. It's doesn't get any more authentic. So, if you like traveling back through time, then you'll enjoy these two video clips.

By the way, in the second song there's a few moments of opening overture before he gets to the song's melody.

Now, there's a third video clip that I'm adding for some of our website visitors who live in Europe, which we very much appreciate having.

This fellow is having such a good time playing and singing I thought I'd include it. I'm sorry that I don't know what language he's singing in, but I know I'll be geting emails from those who do. (You might want to take notice that he's playing on a Mason & Hamlin pump organ). They were considered "top-of-the-line" pump organs.

• Clip #1
• Clip #2
• Clip #3

Of all the pump organs ever built, none was as unusual as the "player" pump organ. Today, most people aren't even aware they ever existed, let alone have they ever heard one played.

They've probably seen and heard player pianos, but my guess is they've never seen a "player" pump organ. Primarily because there weren't not that many built. And that's why today they're considered quite rare.

It's interesting to point out that the paper rolls used on player pump organs is different that those used on player pianos. In playing a piano you're constantly striking keys, however, in playing an organ, any kind of organ, there are times when you are holding notes.

Piano rolls have single holes all over the paper, each hole is a note, however, a player pump organ rolls can have lines of holes. These are notes that are to be held in a sustaining manner (If you look closely as the organ being played, you'll see what I mean).

• Player Pump Organ