Subject:	HOT TIPS - Organ Sound Definitions

Thought you all might like a reference of exactly what organ terms mean.  
Many terms are found in the notes on pieces of music you will play so hope 
this may help to "translate" what the terms mean.   Jim:)

ORGAN SOUND DEFINITIONS

PRINCIPAL CHORUS
    Principals of (16'), 8', 4', 2' pitches; add mixtures for clarity
    Substitute flutes or gemshorn to change texture

STRING
    Strings including (16'), 8', (4'), plus celestes
    add appropriate principals for thickness
    add appropriate flute 4' for brightness
    add 32' pedal for depth

FRENCH REED 
    Chorus reeds of 16, 8, (4) plus mixtures and foundations 8, 4, 2


GRAND JEU
    Foundations 16', 8', 4', 2', mutations, and chorus reeds

PLEIN JEU
    Foundation chorus of (16'), 8', 4', 2', Mixture

SOLO REGISTRATIONS  

    CORNET: flutes of 8', 4', 2 2/3', 2', 1 3/5'

    SESQUIALTERA: flutes of 8', 2 2/3', 1 3/5'

    GLOCKENSPIEL:   flutes of 8', 2 2/3'

    OBOE:   consider adding a 4' flute

    PRINCIPAL:   8' on great, try different octaves, tremulant

    FLUTE:   find solo flutes without chiff, try 8' flutes higher, try 4' 
flutes  lower

    ROMANTIC SOLO:   (flute 8'), string celeste 8', vox humana 8', flute 4',    
and try playing one octave lower

    FESTIVAL TRUMPET:  A bold solo reed used to for melody emphasis.    Use 
any strong reed but do not overdo it!

    SELECT ACCOMPANIMENT, THE LAW OF OPPOSITES:  strings    accompany flutes, 
flutes accompany strings

FOUR BASIC HYMN REGISTRATIONS
    
    PRINCIPAL CHORUS PLUS MIXTURES
    FOUNDATION CHORUS
    REED CHORUS
    TRUMPET SOLO

Special note: Remember to play with the expression shoes open for hymns!  I 
can't stress this enough!  If you want less organ reduce the registration 
taking off the mixtures, reeds and some of the 2' stops.  If you reduce the 
organ by closing the expression shoes you choke off the wonderful 16' pedal 
and 8' manual stops that give the congregation support to sing.