Waterfall keys

[Waldo]

I often read posts that refer to "Waterfall" keys on PAs. Can someone post a description and a couple of pics illustrating the difference between "Waterfall" keys and a "normal" key.

Press on....
Waldo

 

[losthobos]

Hammond organs have them....can roll your palm or back of thumb across the keyboard and it doesn't gash your flesh but smoothly plays with little downward effort required

 

[Glug]

Waterfall keys: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174790510762?hash=item28b25388aa:g:0AUAAOSw~s5guKJM
Modern: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174790507490?hash=item28b2537be2:g:mPwAAOSwVTVguKBm

 

[losthobos]

WaterfallKeys are preferred by non-classical organists because they're easier to play slides (glissandi) on. Unlike a thumb gliss, non-classical organists will often palm smear up and into a chord. This exposes the webbing between the thumb and forefinger to the sharp edges of other types of keys. As a special effect, they are also easier to jamb a matchbook in front to hold down a key while playing elsewhere...

 

[Waldo]

So, per Slug's links, the tips of the keys are somewhat rounded on the modern keys and align straight across on the waterfall keys.

 

[Dingo40]

I'm unsure what our colleagues have described here ?.
What I understood to be "waterfall keys" ( found typically in instruments from before the early fifties ) were styled in a way where the outermost (coating) layer of the white treble keys is applied in a continuous way, covering the top and rounded over the distal (or free) end.
The overall effect is like an unbroken sheet of flowing water: ie a waterfall !?
There's a good photo of a used Serenelli with waterfall keys on this thread, here:

Help me identify this used serenelli

So I bought this used serenelli , it has a lot of work to do in it... dust ... the bass part is chaotic ... and even there are some missing screews and even two notes missing in one Reed... I hope to put him working some day. Any idea of wich year it should been produced?

www.accordionists.info

(You could just about say it's also has
"waterfall " coupler switches!)

 

[Scuromondo]

So, per Slug's links, the tips of the keys are somewhat rounded on the modern keys and align straight across on the waterfall keys.

I would describe the standard keys as having an overhanging lip that extends slightly away from the keyboard, while the waterfall keys drop straight down. One of the advantages of waterfall keys I’ve heard repeatedly (from those who place their shoulder straps across the keyboard when storing their accordion in its case) is that, with waterfall keys, one does not have to worry about inadvertently catching the strap on the tip of a key.

 

[Glug]

I take the point Dingo made, but I think the waterfall bit might also apply to the ends of the keys being square so you could put a ruler across the end and it would touch everywhere. modern keys are rounded at the end.

 

[Dingo40]

"One of the advantages of waterfall keys I’ve heard repeatedly (from those who place their shoulder straps across the keyboard when storing their accordion in its case) is that, with waterfall keys, one does not have to worry about inadvertently catching the strap on the tip of a key."
Another advantage I've noticed (as I have an accordion with a waterfall keyboard) is that you can't get your fingers/nails caught under the projecting overhangs of adjacent keys.?

 

[Waldo]

Glug, sorry about the auto-correct.
I think I understand now. I like Dingo's link, a very dramatic waterfall.

Thanks all.

See link: http://www.dairiki.org/HammondWiki/WaterfallKeys