Glossary of Pipe Organ Terms

a mutation stop that sounds two octaves and a fifth above the written pitch, usually called Larigot

a mutation stop that sounds two octaves and a third above the written pitch, usually called Tierce

indicates a stop that sounds two octaves above the written pitch

a mutation stop that sounds an octave and a fifth above the written pitch, usually called Nazard or Twelfth

another name for a 2 2/3′ stop

indicates a stop or coupler that sounds an octave above the written pitch

a stop that sounds a fifth above the written pitch

indicates a stop or coupler that sounds at the written pitch

indicates a stop or coupler that sounds an octave below the written pitch

a stop that sounds two octaves below the written pitch

the parts of an organ that connect the keys with the pipes

a division of the organ that is separate from the rest of the pipes; also question and answer effects

an apparatus of wood and folded leather that collects wind and delivers it to the wind chest

an electric fan that provides wind for the pipes

a division of the organ, also a large reed stop

a stopped flute stop of metal or wood

the wood box built around the pipes, to focus and blend their sound

a rank of pipes tuned slightly sharp to cause beats with its companion rank

a room housing the pipes of an organ, opening into the main room

the box on which pipes stand, filled with air

a division of the organ, usually played from the lowest of three manuals, often enclosed

a 4′ principal stop found in the pedal division

reed stops designed to be used in combinations with flues

a trumpet stop, usually at 4′ pitch

reed stops designed to be used as solo stops

a device allowing the organist to change stops with buttons or toe studs

the control center of the organ

a combination of stops at 8′, 4′, 2 2/3′, 2′, and 1 3/5′

a device that makes the pipes from one division sound on another keyboard than its own, or at another octave

a pedal that brings on stops and couplers gradually

a reed stop of the clarinet family

the height of a flue pipe mouth

a high-pitched mixture

a flue pipe with basic organ tone

a section of the organ, usually with its own keyboard and pipes

a reed stop in the clarinet family

a division of the organ, usually enclosed and across the room from the rest of the pipes

action that uses electricity to open and close the pipe valves

the placement of reed pipes on their sides to project their tone

a color reed stop in romantic organs

a hybrid flue stop with a sound between a flute and a string, usually soft

the front of the organ chamber or case

“bassoon” in German; a reed stop of the oboe family

a division that has no special keyboard, but plays by being coupled to another keyboard

an organ pipe that makes sound by setting a column of air vibrating

a flue pipe of wide scale, made of wood or metal

a mixture

a color reed stop in romantic organs

the bottom pitch in the harmonic series

a balcony, one of the places organs are located

a string stop, named after the early instrument

the German name for a stopped flute pipe

a hybrid flue stop with a sound between a flute and a string

the French name for the Great division

the main division of an organ, usually played from the lower of two or the middle of three manuals

one of the series of high pitches that are present in musical tones produced by natural means

the German name for the Great division

the French name for oboe

a reed stop of the clarinet family

the “block” of a metal pipe that sends the wind against the upper lip

a mutation stop of 1 1/3′ that sounds two octaves and a fifth above the written pitch

action that uses rods called “trackers” to connect the keys with the pipe valves

a pipe bent to fit into limited space

a stop of more than one rank of pipes at various high pitches

the French word for principal, from the verb “to show” – meaning the pipes that show in the case

a rank of pipes that sounds a non-octave pitch above the written note

a mutation stop of 2 2/3′ that sounds an octave and a fifth above the written pitch

a reed stop used as a solo and in combinations

an interval of eight scale tones; a principal rank, usually sounding an octave above the main principal rank in any division

a solo reed stop found in romantic organs

the term used for principal chorus with mixture

any of the harmonics above the fundamental in the harmonic series

buttons and toe studs that change stops and couplers and may be set by the organist

literally “full stops”; the French term for Organo Pleno; one of the names for a mixture

another word for principal chorus with mixture

a flute stop

literally “trombone”; the German name for a low-pitched reed stop of the trumpet family

German and French for Positive – a division of the organ, usually open and bright in sound

a principal stop

the type of pipe that makes typical organ tone

principal stops at 8′, 4′, 2′, sometimes 16′, 2 2/3′ with mixture(s)

a flute stop voiced to sound its third partial prominently

a stop of 2 2/3′ pitch, usually made of principal pipes

a row of pipes of one tone color brought into play by a stop knob or tablet

a reed stop with short resonators

the French name for the Swell division

an organ pipe that makes sound by the vibration of a reed against a hollow tube called a “shallot”

a reed stop with short resonators

another name for stop

the body of a reed pipe, which amplifies and modifies the sound of the reed itself

a piston that turns something both on and off

refers to instruments and music of the 19th century or in that style

a string stop

a series of diatonic notes; the relationship of the diameter to the length of a flue pipe

a reed stop of the oboe family

a mixture

the German name for the Swell division

the name for a stop which pulls two ranks – 2 2/3′ and I 3/5 – into play

a name for the tutti combination piston

the hollow brass tube against which the reed vibrates in a reed pipe

the wooden slats that enclose a swell box

combination action controlled by a small computer, containing several memories so that the entire organ can be set up several times at once

a division of the organ that contains solo stops and often loud reeds, usually played from the top of four manuals

a list of the stops or ranks found in an organ

a combination of tin and lead used for metal flue pipes

the knob or tablet that pulls a rank of pipes into play

a flute stop

a flue pipe that is closed at the top with a cap or stopper, making it sound an octave lower than an open pipe of the same length

flue pipes of narrow scale, voiced to have many harmonics

a division of the organ enclosed in a box with shutters

tuning that is not mathematically exact, but adjusted to allow for performance in all keys

a 1 3/5′ mutation stop that sounds two octaves and a third above the written pitch

a large button near the pedal keyboard that operates a piston

a rod that connects the key to the pipe valve in mechanical-action organs

a device that shakes the wind, making the sound of the pipes waver

a low-pitched reed stop of the trumpet family

a reed stop whose pipes have conical resonators

a reed stop of the trumpet family, often on high wind pressure

a piston that brings on full organ, usually reversible

a mutation stop of 2 2/3′ pitch, usually made of principal pipes

a string stop

a rank of string pipes tuned sharp to cause beats with its companion rank

literally “human voice”; a reed stop with short resonators

a box on which the pipes stand, filled with air

a wheel with bells on it, used as a special effect on some organs

a reed stop with short resonators