Pipe Organs: A Giant Box of Whistles
2025-04-27
At its core, a pipe organ is a giant box of whistles. Each pipe sits atop a hollow windchest filled with compressed air from bellows or a blower. Each stop on the console represents a set of pipes (a rank) of a particular tone color, with a different pipe for every note. Pulling a stop activates a slider under those pipes, making them sound-sources. The windchest also has valves (pallets) mechanically linked to the keyboard. These control airflow; even with a stop engaged, no sound occurs until a key activates its pallet, releasing compressed air into the pipe. This creates the sound. Every pipe organ is unique, custom-built to the buyer's specifications, considering sound types, room size, aesthetics, and budget.
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