The echo bell, which the 4th valve brings into the windway in place of the normal bell, may originally have been intended as an instantaneous muting device. The echo cornet became quite widely used by soloists for performing ingenious pieces with echo effects.

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

The mouthpiece in these pictures and recording is (1452), cornet mouthpiece, late 19th century, purchased by lender with and possibly formerly used this instrument. The shank and tuning-slide used are those for C.

Top of page

Pictures

Top of page

Talk by the player

• introduce the echo cornet

Top of page

The sound of the cornet

• Arthur Sullivan, `Tit Willow', song from The Mikado

Top of page

History

• Maker: F. Besson & Co.
• Place: London.
• Date of making: c 1883.

Current ownership: On loan to the Collection.

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (1451)

Top of page

Technical details

• English name: Cornet.
• Type: Echo cornet in C etc.
• Serial number: 29420
• Overall size: 329.
• Sounding length: low-pitch tuning-slide 45mm longer than high-pitch; tuning-slide extension adds 149mm to sounding length. Overall air column lengths: bit (a) 40.6, shank (b) 85.1, shank (c) 147.2, shank (d) 170.6, crook (e) 264 (single-coil).
• Bore: m.t.s. 11.7, v.t.s. (3,2,1) 12.0; bell 119.
• Dia of mouthpiece receiver: Internal tapers: bit (a) 9.5 - 9.0, shank (b) 9.5 - 8.7, shank (c) 9.4 - 8.7, shank (d) 9.4 - 8.7, crook (e) 9.4 - 8.7; external tapers, bit (a) 9.0 - 9.7, shank (b) 11.0 - 11.9, shank (c) 11.0 - 11.8, shank (d) 11.0 - 12.0, crook (e) 11.5 - 12.4; shank/crook receiver taper 12.0 - 11.0.

Technical description: Silver-plated brass. With shanks for C or Bb, B, A; crook for Ab (probably not original); with alternative tuning-slides for high and low pitch, and tuning-slide extension for Bb, A and Ab. Fourth valve diverts air column from normal bell to muted bell for echo effects. Additional tuning-slide for echo bell.

Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, top-sprung with compression spring outside stem; alignment by key on piston. Echo valve of Périnet type, bottom-sprung; alignment by key on piston.

Inscribed on bell "31 MEDALS OF HONOUR" within banner / FR monogram / "F. BESSON / BREVETÉ / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON" / five-pointed star. Inscribed on top and bottom caps and sides of valve casings: 1st valve "4", 2nd valve "5", 3rd valve "6", 4th valve "3"; on side of 2nd valve casing "F. BESSON" / five-pointed star / "BREVETEE", all within ellipse, / "29420". Inscribed on bit (a) no inscription; shank (b) on ferrule "506", and on lug "1"; on shank (c) on ferrule "420" and "B natural", and on lug "1"; shank (d) on ferrule "420" and "A natural", and on lug "1"; crook (e) on mouthpipe "LAb". (Note that "420" on (c) and (d) tallies with instrument serial number "29420") 1st and 3rd tuning-slides graduated for B, Bb and A.

Playing accessories: tuning bit; music card-holder; all silver-plated brass.

With lined leather case, probably original. Four tenon protectors.

The crook for Ab is probably a replacement supplied by previous owner.

Usable pitch: Old Philharmonic and low pitch.

Performance characteristics: Echo slightly sharp but can be adjusted by slide.

Purchased by lender with and possibly formerly used with mouthpiece (1452).

Top of page

References to this instrument in publications

Top of page

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

This page updated: 29.10.08