| Portative Organ |
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| Angel playing organetto - 16th century from the Evreux Cathedral |
En: Portative Organ, Portatif organ, Portativ organ, Portative, Portatif, Portativ, Es: Armonio, Órgano portátil, Órgano portativo, Órgano de mano, Fr: Orgue portativ, De: Handorgeln, Portativ, Torsellum, It: Ninfale, Organetto, Organino, Eo: Portativo, Fi: Portatiivi, Kantourut, Nl: Portatief, Pl: Portatyw, Sv: Portativ
The Portative Organ was one of the most popular instruments of the thirteenth through sixteenth centuries. Relatively light in weight, the instrument, when equipped with a sling, could be carried about and played in religious processions. The player provides his own wind supply by pumping a bellows made of sheepskin and wood with his left hand while playing a button type keyboard of approximately two octaves with his right hand.
Because of its limited air supply, the Portative Organ could only play one note at a time. Thus it was used for monophonic dance music, or a single part in a motet, chanson, or other polyphonic work.
Pipes are arranged in one or two rows and have a high lead content. The key action is mechanical: depressing a key allows air from the bellows to enter the appropriate pipe. Although the Portative Organ is tuned in Pythagorean temperament, other temperaments are possible by pushing harder or more lightly on the bellows.
| About the Portative Organ |
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RWC Portative Organs
The Renaissance Workshop Company Ltd. produces two Portative Organs.
The metal pipes operate on only 2 inches of air pressure from the single stroke bellows and produce a clear full sound. Shorter musical passages can be played with ease whilst longer passages are played by 'phrasing' the music to give a space (in the same way a singer takes a breath) to re-charge the bellows.
Both are made from selected oak and hand made pipes individually voiced and tuned before final fitting and setting up of the finished organ.
The 1ft Medieval Portative Organ is a miniature organ of traditional construction in almost every detail. The instrument is supported by a leather strap slung over the shoulder and played with one hand leaving the other free to operate the bellows.
Our finished 1ft Portative has a simple pallet action and 12 hand made pipes.
Disposition: 12 notes c' - g'' (diatonic range). Size: 18"/14"(46cm/36cm) high, 12"(30cm) wide, 4"(10cm) deep. Weight: 8lbs (3.5kg).
Includes leather carrying strap and free access to our 'Helpline' for advice on playing and maintenance.
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| RWC 2ft portative Organ Finished & Kit |
The 2ft Portative Organ is a small organ of traditional construction in almost every detail. The instrument is played in a seated position, the bellows are blown with one hand leaving the other free for the keyboard.
Our finished 2ft Portative Organ has a conventional mechanical action and 25 hand made pipes.
Disposition: 25 notes c - c'' (chromatic range). Size: 38"/24"(96cm/60cm) high, 17"(44cm) wide, 14"(34cm) deep. Weight: 42lbs (19kg).
Includes a 12 month warranty and free access to our helpline for advice on setting up, playing and maintenance.
Each instrument is hand built by 'in-house' craftsmen to special order in our own workshops in Toledo (Spain) to the highest standard of craftsmanship and comes with 12 months warranty.
| About the Portative Organ |
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| RWC 1ft portative Organ Kit w/o pipes |
Portative Organ Kits
The same instruments are offered in kit form for home assembly.
The price includes the license to build one instrument
for private use and free access to our customer 'helpline' should you need
any advice on construction, playing or maintenance.
A fully dimensioned plan and full assembly instruction manual takes the builder through the construction of the instrument in a clear and concise manner, with 'step by step' photographs further illustrating each stage. To ensure success, even for the first time builder.
All the casework parts are machined to size from solid oak and have the detailed edge mouldings pre-cut (oak veneered plywood is used where stability is essential). Lime pallets, rosewood keys, white leather, split skin, deer skin, balance pins, pallet springs, felt, washers and fixings are all included. 'Spotted' metal pipes, voiced ready for final tuning, complete this comprehensive kit.
Our 1ft Portative Organ Kit builds into a truly portable little organ with a diatonic range of 12 notes c' - g''. Traditionally difficult parts such as the bellows have been carefully designed to be straightforward to make and the soundboard is fully formed with all the windways and boring completed.
Disposition: c' - g'', 12 notes. Size: 30cm wide, 10cm deep, 45cm high. Weight: 4kg
Includes leather carrying strap and free access to our instrument makers 'Helpline'.
Organ - 1ft portative kit - without pipes Start building a 1ft portative organ for less than 1/2 price. Build a 1ft portative organ for the minimum outlay. This version of our 1ft portative organ kit supplies everything except the metal pipes leaving you the option to purchase them later when all the woodworking is finished.
Our 2ft Portative Organ Kit builds into a portable table top organ with a fully chromatic range of 25 notes c - c''. Traditionally difficult parts such as the bellows have been carefully designed to be straightforward to make and the soundboard is fully formed with all the windways and boring completed.
Disposition: c - c'', 25 notes. Size: 44cm wide, 34cm deep, 99cm high. Weight: 19kg
Includes free access to our instrument makers 'Helpline'.
Organ - 2ft portative kit - without pipes Start building a 2ft portative organ for less than 1/2 price. Build a 2ft portative organ for the minimum outlay. This version of our 2ft portative organ kit supplies everything except the metal pipes leaving you the option to purchase them later when all the woodworking is finished.
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| RWC 2ft portative Organ Kit w/o pipes |
Portative Organ Plan
You can make the same instrument from scratch, following detailed
step-by-step instructions through the construction process in a clear
and concise manner.
A fully dimensioned plan and a set of photographs illustrates each stage.
The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use.
| About the Portative Organ |
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| RWC Organ pipes |
Portative Organ Accessories and Spare Parts
Set of pipes for 1ft portative Organ. A set of 12 pipes, hand made in spotted metal, individually voiced ready for final tuning when fitted to your finished instrument. Diatonic range c' - g''
Set of pipes for 2ft portative Organ. A set of 25 pipes, hand made in spotted metal, individually voiced ready for final tuning when fitted to your finished instrument. Chromatic range c - c''.
| About the Portative Organ |
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