Barrel organ

1. What is another name for the barrel organ?
2. How does a barrel organ work?
3. What is the purpose of barrel organ?
4. Where does the barrel organ come from?

What is another name for the barrel organ?

A barrel organ (also called roller organ or crank organ) is a French mechanical musical instrument consisting of bellows and one or more ranks of pipes housed in a case, usually of wood, and often highly decorated.

How does a barrel organ work?

Barrel organ, musical instrument in which a pinned barrel turned by a handle raises levers, admitting wind to one or more ranks of organ pipes; the handle simultaneously actuates the bellows. Ten or more tunes can be set on one barrel.

What is the purpose of barrel organ?

A barrel organ is a large machine that plays music when you turn the handle on the side. Barrel organs used to be played in the street to entertain people.

Where does the barrel organ come from?

History of the Dutch barrel organ

The history of the street barrel organ dates back to the 18th century. Around 1720, the so-called canary organs or serinettes were very popular. These were mechanical musical instruments consisting of small barrel organs. The serinette was first used by street musicians in Italy.