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reed stop

reed stop

9.4
A part of an organ that makes a sound like an oboe or clarinet
  • noun
  • /rid stɑp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : registro de caña
  • The cathedral organist added a reed stop to give the music a brighter timbre.

Examples

  • Many composers specify the use of the reed stop in their organ pieces for its distinctive sound.

  • A skilled organ builder can carefully voice each reed stop to match the acoustics of the church.

  • The organ features a beautiful reed stop.

  • Can you play the reed stop on the organ?

  • The composer wrote intricate pieces that utilize the reed stop to replicate the rich tones of woodwind instruments.

  • In the concert hall, the reed stop on the organ added a warm, resonant quality to the choir's performance.

  • During the rehearsal, the organist adjusted the reed stop to enhance the clarity of the melody.

Synonyms

stop
vsreed stop
  • Specialized
8 8.9

A knob on a pipe organ that controls which pipes sound

refers to the sound-producing set of pipes rather than the control knob
organ stop
vsreed stop
  • Jargon
7.9

A group of pipes on an organ that make a particular sound when you choose them

is a specific type that imitates oboe or clarinet sounds using vibrating brass tongues

How Soft

sourdine
  • Specialized
9.9
reed stop
  • Specialized
9.4
diapason stop
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

reed stop singular
reed stops plural

Morphology

reed + stop

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'reed' specifies the kind of 'stop' (a stop that produces or uses reed sounds/reeds). Even though it is a technical organ term, the meaning ('a stop characterized by reeds or reed-like sound') is directly derivable from the constituents and follows common compounding patterns, so a learner who knows both words can infer it.

Etymology

Reed stop comes from organ pipes that use a thin metal reed inside the pipe that vibrates to make a buzzy sound like an oboe or clarinet. The stop is the control that turns this sound on, so the name tells you it makes a 'reed' instrument sound.