Page 1 of 1
Never seen a serpent like this before
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:18 pm
by brassman96
Re: Never seen a serpent like this before
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:07 pm
by windshieldbug
Considering that it's missing a key (so it has an open hole), I'd say that it wasn't in use when they took the snap...
Re: Never seen a serpent like this before
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:19 am
by J.c. Sherman
If memory serves me, that is a one-off instrument that survives in a Belgian museum. It's more of an ophicleide in serpent form than a serpent, much like the famous Anaconda contrabass serpent. The defining characteristic of a serpent and its sound is the open finger holes.
Thomas key attempted a few instruments like this, though with more conventional materials and shape. Much like putting a "sensible" fingering system on a bassoon, when you do it, it stops being a bassoon.
J.c.S.