Thirty-two foot

As Printed on a Score

Printed as 32 ft, 32′ or 32' in organ registrations, meaning stops that sound two octaves below written pitch; found mainly on large instruments, in the pedal division, and in force until a new registration is named.

Abbreviations: 32 ft, 32′, 32'

How Composers Use It

Thirty-two-foot stops produce a sound felt as much as heard; their lowest notes lie near the limit of hearing. Use them sparingly, for hushed depth or overwhelming climaxes. Not every organ has one, so give an alternative (16 ft) where the music must work on any instrument.

Example

Holst, The Planets, “Neptune, the Mystic”, organ, m. 45: “32 & 16 ft.” is printed with “Pedal”, at ppp.

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