These pages comprise a dictionary of terms relating to the pipe organ. Please keep definitions to a few sentences, and do not include pictures or sound clips. When more space is needed for a term, a new page can be created for it.
A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z
Radiating [adj.] a term used to describe a pedalboard whose pedals are not parallel from front to back, but are splayed slightly further apart from each other at the console end. Since the organist turns to reach the extremes of the pedalboard (rather than moving side-to-side on the bench), radiating pedals are more ergonomic. Radiating pedalboards are usually (but not always) also concave.
Rank [noun] a set of pipes of the same construction and of consistent timbre and volume, with one pipe for each note. One stop usually controls one rank, but may control more than one rank (see Compound Stop). Multiple stops may also be derived from a single rank (see Borrowing, Duplexing and Unification). For a manual stop, there would be 61 pipes in the complete rank (using the A.G.O. standard), one for each note on the manual, from relatively tall pipes at the bass end to relatively short ones at the treble end.
Ratio
Rauschwerk [noun] - a non-repeating quint mixture stop of two (or more) ranks, generally 2' + 1-1/3'. Also, in early usage, a refined chorus reed, or a compound Cornet-like stop which imitates a reed.
Récit [noun] - the third or fourth topmost manual in the French classic organ, of short compass and containing a cornet and perhaps a reed. Chest located above the Grande Orgue.
Récit Expressif [noun] - the third or fourth topmost manual in the French Romantic organ as typified in the instruments of Cavaillé-Coll. It was enclosed in a swell box, was usually of full compass, and had chorus reeds, commonly with an Hautbois, flutes, possibly harmonic, and usually a string celeste and Voix Humaine with tremulant. Larger instruments might also have a principal chorus with mixture(s) and a cornet. This division was indepensible in the desired crescendo from pp to full organ.
Reed [noun] 1. a type of organ pipe in which the sound is produced by a vibrating metal reed or tongue. 2. the part of a reed pipe which vibrates and creates the sound; more properly known as the Tongue.
Reed Puller
Reed Wire
Regal - a family of reed stops which produce a variety of narrow or nasal tone, usually having shorter than average resonators, which produces the opposite effect of a "Harmonic Reed"
Register
Regulation
Relay[noun] - a device used to transfer control of electrical contacts. In an organ, a mechanico-electrical or electronic machine used to translate key presses and stop selections to individual pallets that release wind to pipes allowing them to sound. In some, percussive instruments are sounded rather than pipes.
Reproducing Organ
Reservoir
Resonator [noun] - the tube part of a reed pipe which produces no sound on its own, but which resonates to amplify the note produced by the vibrating reed.
Resultant [noun] - a stop, usually on the Pedal Division, which sounds two pipes, a fifth apart, to produce the effect of a note an octave below the lower pipe. A way to simulate a 32' pitch from two pipes in the 16' octave.
Reversible [noun] - a thumb piston or toe stud on an organ console which produces a change when pressed once, and reverses that change if pressed again. Often used for couplers.
Rib
Rocker
Rohrflöte [noun] a stopped-flute stop the pipes of which are surmounted by a tube or chimney, markedly smaller in diameter than the body of the pipe. Equivalent to English Chimney Flute, and to the French Flûte à Cheminée.
Rohrwerk [noun] reed stops.
Roller
Roller Arm
Roller Beard
Roller-Board [noun] - a mechanical device for accomodating changes of direction, spacing or order in the mechanical linkages of an organ. A tracker action organ would normally have several roller boards.
Rückpositiv [noun] - German term for the division behind the organist's back, usually designed as a foil to the Hauptwerk. In addition to a small chorus, it commonly contained solo reed(s) and partial-pitch stops (2-2/3', 1-3/5', 1-1/7' etc.) for color.
Rugwerk [noun] - the Dutch term for "Rückpositiv".
Run