Electric Keys

Overview

Electric Keys will showcase the Powerhouse Museum's newly acquired private collection of 20th century keyboards in a refreshingly niche, long running exhibition. The electronic instruments will complement the Museum's existing collection of mechanical musical objects, which includes early 20th century pianos and organs to modern-day synthesisers.

The collection will explore the modern keyboard's development and contribution across jazz, pop, soul and rock. One of the highlights is the Model B3 Hammond organ: a 1954 invention which weighs in at 132 kilograms and was a favourite among professional musicians in the 1960–70s.

Image: Hohner Clavinet D6, developed by Ernt Zacharias for Hohner Germany, 1967, Powerhouse Collection