The Swell

The upper manual on most two- and three-manual instruments is the Swell (Schwellwerk, Récit). It is so called because the sound of its pipes can be made to swell and diminish. Its pipes are housed in a box with shutters on one or more sides. These shutters are like large Venetian blinds that are controlled by a pedal. When the shutters are closed, the sound of the Swell division pipes is muffled. When the shutters are opened, the sound gets louder and also more brilliant. The Swell division often has more ranks in it than the Great. It can be coupled to the Great and to the Pedal. if there is a third manual, the Swell can usually be coupled to it, too. Rarely can anything be coupled to the Swell, although on some organs it may be able to be coupled to itself at 16' and 4'.

The Swell will usually have its own principal chorus - a 4' principal, a 2', and a mixture. One must use an 8' flute or string, or both, to sound the written pitch in this chorus. Only large instruments Will have an 8' principal on the Swell. The sound of the Swell principal chorus is often brighter than that of the Great.

The Swell typically includes flute stops at many pitch levels, even 16'. it will usually have mutations as well-often those making a Cornet. If there is a set of strings (including Celeste) on the organ, it will be in the Swell. There will often be one or more reeds, most commonly an 8' Oboe, maybe trumpets at 8' and/or 4', and a 16' Bassoon.