Dictionary/Z

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 

Zauberfl&ouml;te [noun] - A harmonic stopped flute. Because it's stopped, it must be three times the normal length to be overblown at its second overtone (the lowest note of an 8' rank would have to be 12 feet long!). Because of the required size, it usually appears at 4' pitch, and lower pitched stops use a less extravagant construction in the lower octave(s). The stop usually has the characteristic pure flute sound, without the prominent odd-numbered harmonics associated with stopped flutes.

Zinc

Zink

Zymbel [noun] - A very high-pitched mixture, usually with unison- and fifth-sounding ranks. Zymbel is the German name, Cymbale is the French term.

Zymbelstern[noun] - a vertical wheel mounted within the organ case, normally about 60cm in diameter and made of wood. A number of small bells are mounted around the periphery which ring when it turns. It is operated by a small air or electic motor controlled from the console.