A Brief History of the Development of Organ to Yamaha Electone in Thailand

Abstract

The study of art history is considerably essential for the development of today’s life. Especially there are not much reliable academic papers in Thai about the history of an organ to the arrival of electronic organ and Electone in Thailand. This paper aims to be a useful reliable source for further reference in music academic field. There are many similarities between organ in 13^th century and modern organ, when the organ had been recorded or existent. Until the end of 18^th century, human had discovered the electromagnetic induction therefore organ was replaced by modern organ that use electric for motorizing turbine to pressure wind into an organ. Later in the early of 20^th century, the first fully electric organ was produced which created sound from Tonewheel by Laurens Hammond (1895-1973). The Hammond organ was very popular and sold out quickly. Undoubtedly, it was become the prototype of Yamaha Electone which was the first made in Japan from the passion of Torakusu Yamaha (1851-1961). He founded Yamaha Organ Manufacturing Company hoping that Japanese people will have quality instruments at an affordable price for every house. In the management of next generations, Yamaha not only produce music instruments, but they also have their own music curriculum that is widespread to more than 40 countries around the world including Thailand. Consequently, Thailand have acquired the Yamaha music curriculum and music instrument. Therefore, Thailand is developed country in term of music until now.