How to Set the Drawbars on a Hammond Organ

The drawbars on a Hammond organ change which harmonics play when a note is pressed. For example, when the third and fifth drawbars are pulled out all the way, the fundamental and "15th" harmonics sound. Setting the drawbars on a Hammond organ is the fastest and easiest way to customize your sound. Most famous players of the Hammond organ were known for one or two signature sounds. Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco and Booker T. all developed a signature sound, and they did so with the drawbars.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammond organ with drawbars

Example Instructions

1. Turn on the Hammond organ. Hold down a note or chord. You will modify the timbre (or tone) of this note or chord with the drawbars.

2. Pull the third drawbar out all the way. This drawbar, which is the first white one, plays only the fundamental harmonic. In other words, the harmonic overtone when you hold down a "C" note with this drawbar pulled out will be a simple "C".

3. Pull out the first two drawbars (keeping the third one out all the way) as the note continues to ring. You will hear the octave below the fundamental and the fifth below the fundamental. (This drawbar configuration was Keith Emerson's favorite setting.)

4. Pull out more drawbars and listen for the special tonal qualities they add. Each drawbar adds something new to the "shape" of the sound. If you want sharper, harsher and brighter tones, add some of the far-right drawbars (especially the black ones).

5. Stop when you find a setting that pleases your ear. You can change the drawbar settings as you play, slowly molding the sound to your taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep note of your favorite drawbar settings. It is useful to have an arsenal of two or three "signature" sounds for different settings. You can use a different drawbar setting for each keyboard on the Hammond organ. This is useful for having an "accompany" sound for the left hand and a punchier "lead" sound for the right hand.

Resources

• Free Gospel Resource: Drawbar Settings
• Musicrx.us: Drawbar Settings (Examples)