Organ Types
The term “pipe organ” originates with the means by which it produces tone: air passes through pipes, causing a column of air to vibrate for each tone that is produced.
How can you tell whether or not an organ is a pipe organ? A selection of speaking pipes are arranged in visually attractive displays in most organs (see photo). However, pipe organs and even some electronic organs display “dummy” pipes in the façade of the organ case: pipes that do not actually speak, but that are intended to be seen as part of pipe façade. The pipes of some organs may be hidden behind louvers in pipe chambers, and the chamber openings may be covered by cloth or by decorative carvings.
