Using Console Devices: Items
Many electronic organs can assist the organist of limited technique through Bass couplers and Melody couplers. These operate when an organist plays on the Great manual only.
The Bass Coupler allows any chosen pedal stops to sound only in the lowest note that is played on the Great. This feature does a reasonable job of playing the manual bass line on the pedal stops without having to use the feet.
The Melody Coupler allows any solo stops or combinations drawn on the Swell to sound only in the highest note of the Great. The soprano line of a hymn, for example, could be heard as a solo line without having to play the right hand on a separate manual.
The sophisticated decision-making ability of the organ as demonstrated in these couplers can be helpful, but the couplers can be “tricked” by certain key combinations. Eventually an organist will benefit most by learning to execute these techniques without the aid of Bass and Melody couplers.
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