Interesting historic info on the Cimbasso's History

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Saw this on the Berlioz Historical Brass Website-FYI-Mark

http://www.berliozhistoricalbrass.org/cimbasso.htm" target="_blank

http://www.berliozhistoricalbrass.org/instruments.htm" target="_blank

[MartyNeilan]

Good stuff!
Please explain how this instrument is different from the ophicleide.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
An ophicleide is all brass and has covered keys. The early cimbasso shown has 6 holes and 3 or 4 keys and is wood & brass with a large bell flare.
Mark

[J.c. Sherman]

The cimbasso is an upright serpent in bassoon form with a slightly narrower bore and finger holes, and with a flaring bell, usually made from Brass.

The ophicleide is a bass keyed bugle, and not really a member of the serpent family; its development was entirely separate from that of the serpent.

If you can, find a copy of Doug Yeo's serpent DVD. He demonstrates the cimbasso and other members of the serpent family expertly. The cimbasso is by far my favorite member of the family.

J.c.S.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
On the DVD, Doug plays a repro early Cimbasso made by Nick Perry of Monk Insts., made c. 2001.

It is a copy of this original early Cimbasso in a museum made by Luvoni of Milan-c. 1830



Mark

[J.c. Sherman]

Where the hell did you find that pic? Looks... I'm emotionally scarred...

J.c.S.

(probably better called an ophicleide d'amore?)

[bisontuba]

This is identified as a "bass horn".

Boy, was my band director dumb...

Aladdin's Magic Cimbasso?
Mark

[ghmerrill]

It's a Tennessee still disguised as a musical instrument. Very effective.