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Discover the mechanics behind the music
A large electric blower supplies regulated wind to each chest of pipes. The ducts are similar to an HVAC system. Before the electric blower, the pipe organ required people to work the bellows, often for pennies a service!
Each key on the organ keyboard runs a wire or tracker to a valve below each organ pipe. When the organist depresses a key, an electric signal forces the wire to pull down the valve, allowing air to pass through the pipe above!
Command center of the instrument
In addition to the pedals allowing the organist to play the bass notes of the instrument, the organist can use "expression pedals". These pedals can open the shades of the pipes contained in wooden boxes to get a swell effect or quiet the organ for choir accompaniment. The crescendo expression pedal on the far right gradually adds more stops to the ensemble, creating a louder sound with each push!
The console is the control center of the organ. Here, the organist can choose which pipes to use by pulling out a stop! Each stop tab tells the organist which pipe, division of the organ, and its length to allow them to create the best sound combination for a piece of music.
3,005 pipes of all shapes and sizes
There is a pipe for every pitch played on the organ. Each stop has its own rank or set of pipes, arranged in perfect order to create the magnificent sound that fills the sanctuary.
To produce different sounds or timbres, organ builders use a variety of metals and wood to construct pipes. Each pipe produces a distinct sound on the organ, some of which are meant to emulate a string orchestra or a trumpet in a fanfare!