New member of the family: Metal Anaconda
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:24 pm
If any of you all are into old instruments, particularly the serpent, you may have heard of the famous Anaconda, or contrabass serpent in Edinburgh, made by the Wood bros. Made in 1840 (ish), it is more of a serpentine octave ophicleide than a serpent, but its sound is quite cool. It was recorded on Gordon Jacob's "Variations on Annie Laurie" on the Hoffnung music festival LP of long ago, and on recordings and performances by the London Serpent Trio.
Fast forward to 1990, and another "Anaconda" (George) is built by Christopher Monk for the 400th anniversary of the serpent. It's a true octave serpent, only six holes, covered by keys. It's currently owned (and well played!) by Douglas Yeo.
The third Anaconda was a copy of the above (George II), made by Keith Rogers. The main difference is that the keys are closed standing rather than open standing.
There have been a couple other contra-pents in varying forms: The "American Anaconda" (no longer extant) made of PVC plumbing parts, Patrick, an ingenious contrabass horn in hardwood plywood, and it's cousin Sylvester made from Patrick's plans.
After a moment of "aHA!" several years ago, I began planning a contrabass serpent in metal. Metal serpents are damn rare... there are only a handful in existence, and most survive due to their rarity, not their playabilty. This would be the first recorded octave serpent in metal.
I finished it last week. Gabriel is in 16' CC. It's only one of four contrabass serpents in the world. I'm a serpentist, and a biased maker, but also someone who has no example of a contra to try prior to making this. But I'm finding it consistent in most respects to "serpent tendencies" and an absolute HOOT to play... well, it's a low hoot, anyway
I'm getting used to it, but I will have to let it go to recoup the time. If you're interested, PM me. I'm going to enjoy every second I have with it though
Not much music written for it, of course, or arranged. But... the fun!
I'm hoping to try Nabucco with it shortly with some bone players. I can't see why this also wouldn't qualify as a "cimbasso"... sorta
J.c.S.
(let the snarky comments begin!)
Fast forward to 1990, and another "Anaconda" (George) is built by Christopher Monk for the 400th anniversary of the serpent. It's a true octave serpent, only six holes, covered by keys. It's currently owned (and well played!) by Douglas Yeo.
The third Anaconda was a copy of the above (George II), made by Keith Rogers. The main difference is that the keys are closed standing rather than open standing.
There have been a couple other contra-pents in varying forms: The "American Anaconda" (no longer extant) made of PVC plumbing parts, Patrick, an ingenious contrabass horn in hardwood plywood, and it's cousin Sylvester made from Patrick's plans.
After a moment of "aHA!" several years ago, I began planning a contrabass serpent in metal. Metal serpents are damn rare... there are only a handful in existence, and most survive due to their rarity, not their playabilty. This would be the first recorded octave serpent in metal.
I finished it last week. Gabriel is in 16' CC. It's only one of four contrabass serpents in the world. I'm a serpentist, and a biased maker, but also someone who has no example of a contra to try prior to making this. But I'm finding it consistent in most respects to "serpent tendencies" and an absolute HOOT to play... well, it's a low hoot, anyway
I'm getting used to it, but I will have to let it go to recoup the time. If you're interested, PM me. I'm going to enjoy every second I have with it though
Not much music written for it, of course, or arranged. But... the fun!
I'm hoping to try Nabucco with it shortly with some bone players. I can't see why this also wouldn't qualify as a "cimbasso"... sorta
J.c.S.
(let the snarky comments begin!)