Organ Online: Play a Virtual Pipe Organ
This organ online is a pipe organ keyboard from C2 to C7, the range of a 61-key manual. Unlike a piano, a note does not fade: it sounds steady for as long as you hold the key and stops the moment you let go, just like a real organ. The screen shows two to four octaves, depending on its width.
How to use it
- Press and hold the keys with one or more fingers: each note lasts as long as the key stays down.
- On a computer, Z X C V B N M play C to B and S D G H J the sharps; Q W E R T Y U and 2 3 5 6 7 the octave above. The arrow keys change octave and Esc releases everything.
- Under Key labels, show note names, keyboard letters or nothing. The MIDI keyboard button accepts a keyboard plugged in over USB.
- Press Record, play, and press it again to stop. Then use Play, ↓ MIDI, ↓ WAV or Share.
- On a phone, use Full screen and turn the phone sideways for more keys.
Help and explanations
The sound is synthesized on your device by blending flute and principal stops (8', 4', 2' and a soft mixture), with no vibrato: the voice of the great concert organ, of Bach and of many film scores. Nothing is sent to a server.
Stops and footage: where the sound comes from
On a pipe organ, each stop is a rank of pipes named in feet after its lowest pipe. An 8' stop sounds at written pitch, like a piano; a 4' an octave higher; a 2' two octaves higher. A mixture adds quiet high ranks for sparkle. Here everything is already blended into one sound, with no stop changes and no pedalboard, which is why a three-note chord fills the room.
Pieces to practice
Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach: the opening motif is a quick A–G–A and the descent G, F, E, D, C♯, D. Play it in octaves with both hands and hold the final D.
Ode to Joy by Beethoven: E E F G, G F E D, C C D E, E D D, joining each note to the next.
Pachelbel's Canon: D, A, B minor, F♯ minor, G, D, G, A, one chord per bar. Long chords are the best legato practice: release the old key the instant you press the new one and keep shared notes held.
Tips
- The sound stops as soon as you lift a key, so every gap between notes is audible. Record yourself and listen back.
- In Chord or scale, light up D harmonic minor (Toccata) or D major (Canon).
- Count four beats on each Canon chord with the metronome.
Frequently asked questions
How do I play the organ online with a computer keyboard?
Z X C V B N M play C D E F G A B; S D G H J play the sharps. Q W E R T Y U and 2 3 5 6 7 play the octave above. The arrow keys change octave and Esc releases everything.
How is it different from the virtual piano?
On the virtual piano a note slowly dies away. On the organ the sound stays the same while you hold the key and ends when you let go, so there is no sustain pedal.
Can I change stops or use a pedalboard?
No. There is a single blended sound and a single manual with no pedalboard. For bass lines, use the lowest octave, which goes down to C2.
How does the “play the note” challenge work?
The site asks for a note and you find it on screen. If you have a real organ, keyboard or piano, turn on the microphone and play it there: the site checks the sound on your device, without recording.