Bible Regal
A small, book-like folding portable regal (a reed organ) from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries.
What it means
The bible regal is a small, portable type of regal, a reed organ, common from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Its name comes from the fact that the instrument could be folded shut like a book and resembled a Bible when closed, making it easy to carry.
Like other regals, the bible regal produces sound with beating reeds rather than flue pipes, giving it a buzzing, forceful tone quite different from the softer sound world of the flue organ.
Musical use
Because of its small size and portability, the bible regal was used mainly for travel, in smaller domestic settings, or for continuo accompaniment where a full chamber organ was unavailable or impractical.
It should be distinguished from the larger, stationary regal without a folding mechanism, and from the portative organ, which uses flue pipes and therefore has a milder sound.
Performance practice
When accompanying historical performances with a bible regal, expect a rather sharp, penetrating sound that cuts through well against voices or quiet instruments, but should be used with care so it does not dominate.