A class of organ that uses wind to excite free reeds (similar to those of a piano accordion) rather than being driven through pipes as in the pipe organ.

Smaller, cheaper and more portable than the corresponding pipe instrument, these were widely used in smaller churches and in private homes, but their volume and tonal range was extremely limited and they were generally limited to one or two manuals, pedalboards being extremely rare.

Modern reed organs include pump organs such as the harmonium and regal. Pictured is a 19th century American reed organ (confusingly often called a melodeon).