Mixture (music)

This article is about stops of a pipe organ. For mixtures in chemistry and related fields, see mixture.

Related Topics:
Stops - Pipe organ - Chemistry - Mixture

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A mixture is a multi-rank organ stop most commonly of principal, or diapason, tone quality. The composition of pitches in a mixture changes, or "breaks" once or more than once over the compass of the keyboard.

Related Topics:
Principal, or diapason - Pitches

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The term "Mixture" does not include multi-rank solo stops, such as the Sesquialtera or the Cornet.

Related Topics:
Mixture - Sesquialtera - Cornet

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Mixtures are most often used to form the tonal "crown" of each of the organ's one or more Principal ensembles.

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The composite effect of the interaction of the multiple pitches on a single note is used to provide new tone colors. It is the composite effect which is of importance: one should not readily be able to perceive the individual pitches within a mixture.

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In a well-designed mixture, the unison and octave pitch line should be reinforced but never obscured.

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