Definition

1. Noun:
   • An electronic keyboard instrument that produces sound through a system of tonewheels and amplifiers: The Hammond organ is an electromechanical instrument that creates its distinctive sound using rotating tonewheels near electromagnetic pickups, rather than pipes or purely electronic oscillators. It is known for its rich, warm, and versatile tones.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The jazz band's sound was defined by the soulful chords of the Hammond organ.
  • She practiced for hours to master the complex drawbar settings on the Hammond organ.

Advanced Usage

• "to play the Hammond organ": to perform music using this specific instrument.
  • He learned to play the Hammond organ by listening to classic gospel records.

Variants and Related Words

• Hammond B-3: (noun) The most famous and iconic model of the Hammond organ, widely used in jazz, blues, rock, and gospel music.
  • The Hammond B-3 is a staple of soul jazz.
• Tonewheel organ: (noun) A general term for organs using the same electromechanical sound generation technology as the Hammond organ.
• Drawbars: (noun) The sliding controls on a Hammond organ that allow the player to mix harmonics and shape the sound.

Synonyms

• Electric organ: A broader term for keyboard instruments that generate sound electronically, which includes but is not limited to the Hammond organ.
• Tonewheel organ: A more technical synonym that describes the instrument's sound generation method.

Related Phrases

• Hammond sound: (noun phrase) The characteristic audio texture produced by a Hammond organ, often associated with specific genres.
  • That song has the classic Hammond sound.
• Leslie speaker: (noun phrase) A rotating speaker cabinet famously paired with the Hammond organ to create a distinctive chorusing and vibrato effect.
  • The Hammond organ is often connected to a Leslie speaker.

Noun

1. (music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ