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Music on the move: Portative organs as
kits or ready built from Skrabl
Saint Cecilia. Picture courtesy Fondazione Sorgente Group.
Portative organs are small, portable pipe instruments that were historically used in medieval and Renaissance music. They are designed to be played while carried or placed on a small stand, making them ideal for solo performances or accompaniment in small ensembles.
These instruments typically feature a single manual (keyboard) and a limited number of stops, producing a clear, delicate sound suitable for liturgical and secular music.
Skrabl is renowned for crafting high-quality Portatives in kit form or ready built. We specialise in traditional and contemporary organ-building techniques, ensuring historical authenticity while incorporating modern craftsmanship.
Our portative organs are valued for their precise construction, tonal quality, and elegant design, making them a favorite among musicians and early music enthusiasts.
Portativ 1': 15 notes
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The smallest of our kit organs has two octaves of tabs played with the right hand while the instrument is pumped with the left.
Illustrated instructions are provided and, as the parts are pre-cut, no tools are required to assemble the kit. It is also available completed and ready to play.
​Portativ 2': 25 notes
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Our two-octave version of the Portative 1' is played as a table instrument and comes with a conventional keyboard.
A useful organ for use in early music performance.
Portativ 3': 37 notes
With its three-octaves of open Principal pipes, this organ will be a welcome addition to an early music ensemble.
As well as a hand-pumped feeder, it is supplied with a reservoir bellows and is available as a kit or ready made.
Portativ 4': 49 notes
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This organ is based on a historical design with examples in the Germanisches Museum Munich. The same basic design enables the instrument to be built either as an extended 2’ (playing as a 4’) from G – or as an extended 4’ playing at unison pitch. It has its own integral blower, is light in weight and eminently portable with a bench in the same design. Perfect for all genres of Early Music.​
