Vierklang-Fanfare

[Chuck(G)]

No, it's not a tuba or anything like it. Each of those bells is driven by a metal reed, controlled by the keys. The Germans call them "Schalmei" or Martinshorns and they're first couisin to the BEE-DEE sounding horns of European police cars (no kidding). You've got all of 4 notes on this thing.

I don't know if B&S still makes these things, but back in the bad old days of the DDR, these were used as instruments for young kids bands. They were made in several pitch ranges, from the 8-bell trumpets down to the funny sousaphone-looking things.

They sound terrible, which is only redeemed by their tuning not being very good either.

There are still some adult bands in Germany playing these things;



Here's the web site of one of the larger schalmei ensembles. Click on the CD link for some sound samples, but be sure to lock away all pets and small children before listening:

http://www.schalmeienkapelle.de/

[Chuck(G)]

"Lark in the Morning" still sells at least one of these.
http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp ... ODWINDS_E_

I don't think so, Wayne. In German "Schalmei" also means the antique predecessor to the clarinet that we call a shawm. I suspect that Lark in the AM is selling one of these:

The kind at auction here was invented by Max B. Martin in the early 20th century. Here's a history of the modern sort:

http://musikmuseum.dk/1SCH1.HTM

I basically share Kaiser Bill's opnion, imyself.