Introduction

Speaking and Non-Speaking Stops

SPEAKING STOPS, when pulled, activate one or more ranks of pipes. If a speaking stop is pulled and a key on the appropriate manual is played, one or more pipes will sound.

NON-SPEAKING STOPS manipulate speaking stops, but have no voice of their own. If a non-speaking stop alone is pulled and a key played, no pipes will sound. But if a non-speaking stop is pulled in combination with a speaking stop that is affected by the non-speaking stop, a pipe will sound.

TRY IT: Pull a non-speaking stop on the Great (such as Swell to Great or Tremulant). Play a key on the Great (no sound). Now pull a speaking stop on the Great (such as Principal, Gedeckt, or Bourdon) and play a key on the Great. A pipe will now speak.