While the pipe organ may be the king of instruments, it takes a Prince (professional) to find the pea that may be preventing the pipe organ from playing properly. Just like in the old-time folktale, The Princess and the Pea, even the smallest amount of dirt accumulated under a pipe valve can create a frustrating ordeal for any organist. A Prince is essential for locating and removing the dirt to help the pipe organ play appropriately.
Pipe organs play at their optimal potential when they are maintained. When a pipe, or valve, is too dirty, it can create a “stuck note,” better known as a cipher. Pipes are one the most expensive components of a pipe organ. Inexperienced volunteers can easily damage pipes while cleaning. A seemingly mundane task can quickly turn into a costly disaster. Pipe cleaning and ciphers should be addressed by skilled organ technicians. Regular maintenance in this way helps increase a pipe organ’s musical asset value.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Akron, OH) gets the importance of this key maintenance item as part of phase three of their organ restoration while wind systems are being rebuild, they also chose to address cleaning and releathering stoppers of their subbass pedal rank. (profes
Watch this video explaining our cleaning techniques of this 16" rank wooden pipe:
More About Pipes & Ciphers:
A “stuck note” is just that; it continues to sound/play after the manual or pedal key has been released. This malfunction usually occurs when dirt builds up in the primary valve or under the pipe.
Dust can travel very easily into any valve, preventing the valve from working properly. It’s imperative that each valve of each note seals properly. Action valves, in particular, must seal in both open and closed positions. Build up of dirt on the magnet side of a primary valve , can cause a cipher or a “dead note.”
Take action today for a for a cipher-free Easter.
Call us @ 440-775-4111 to schedule a 2023 Spring pipe cleaning .
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