The `English' bass horn was a form of metal serpent invented by a Frenchman, Louis Alexandre Frichot, living in London in the 1790s. It retains the serpent's acoustically quirky feature of six finger-holes arranged in two separated groups of three.

• Pictures
• Talk by the player
• The sound of the bass horn
• History
• Technical details
• References

The mouthpiece in these pictures and recordings is (1007), serpent mouthpiece, early 19th century.

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Pictures

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Talk by the player

• about the English bass horn

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The sound of the bass horn

• Excerpt from `The Londonderry Air' (traditional, British)

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History

• Maker: W. Sandbach.
• Place: London.
• Date of making: c 1830

(Mickleburgh Collection).

Current ownership: On loan to the Collection.

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (883)

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Technical details

• English name: Bass horn.
• Nominal pitch: C.
• Type: 3 keys.
• Overall size: 805; bell 200.
• Sounding length: overall length 2386; tone-hole distances from bell 1411, 1325, 1285, 1246, 1061, 965, 92$
• Bore: distal end of crook 31.8.
• Diameter of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 13.2 - 12.5.

Technical description: Brass body, stay, garland, keys and crook; long crook with fold; 6 finger-holes; 3 keys.

The primary notes given by the keys arranged for the player's fingers are:

• L0: B.
• L1: T.
• L2: T.
• L3: T.
• L4: F#.
• R1: T.
• R2: T.
• R3: T.
• R4: C#.

• Keyhead type: flat round.

Inscriptions: Inscribed on bell rim "W. SANDBACH / 40 PERCY ST / RATHBONE PLACE / LONDON".

Repair history: 1 key a replacement, 1985. 1 keyspring, 4 finger-hole bushes and 1 keyhole bush also replacements, 1985.

Performance characteristics: Good response throughout range.

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References to this instrument in publications

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All material on this website is copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.

This page updated: 29.10.08