The helicon is a brassmusical instrument in the tuba family. Most are B♭ basses, but they also commonly exist in E♭, F, and tenor sizes, as well as other types to a lesser extent.
The sousaphone is a specialized version of the helicon. The first sousaphone, a non-production prototype made by J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc., had an upright bell, hence the nickname "rain catcher" because of its shape. Later production versions differ primarily in two ways: a bell shaped to face forward with a larger flare and a bell diameter of 22 to 28 inches (56–71 cm), and a "goose-neck" leadpipe which offers greater adjustability of mouthpiece position at the expense of tone quality. Both the sousaphone and helicon have a wide and roughly-circular shape leaving a large empty area in the center, and are designed to be worn around the player's body, with the inside of the coil resting on the shoulder.
The range of the B♭ helicon is two octaves below that of a B♭cornet,[1] thus similar to the more common B♭ bass tuba (though generally without the additional valves and other optional features sometimes seen on tubas, meaning that a few notes in the lowest range are unavailable on the helicon).
HistoryEdit
The helicon is derived from the saxhorn,[1] or the saxtuba.[2] Helicons were first used in the 1860s in cavalry and artillery mounted bands, then later used in military marching bands.
Helicon familyEdit
The Slovenian composer Igor Krivokapič invented a new family of Helicons which were produced by the German manufacturer Melton:
^ ab"Brass instruments". The Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music. Washington Square Press. 1960. p. 37.
^Haine, Malou (1980). . Brussels: Éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles. p. 74. ISBN978-2-8004-0711-1. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
October 19, 2023
helicon, instrument, helicon, brass, musical, instrument, tuba, family, most, basses, they, also, commonly, exist, tenor, sizes, well, other, types, lesser, extent, heliconbrass, instrumentclassificationwind, brass, aerophonehornbostel, sachs, classification42. The helicon is a brass musical instrument in the tuba family Most are B basses but they also commonly exist in E F and tenor sizes as well as other types to a lesser extent HeliconBrass instrumentClassificationWind Brass AerophoneHornbostel Sachs classification423 232 Valved aerophone sounded by lip movement Related instrumentsTuba Saxtuba SousaphoneThe sousaphone is a specialized version of the helicon The first sousaphone a non production prototype made by J W Pepper amp Son Inc had an upright bell hence the nickname rain catcher because of its shape Later production versions differ primarily in two ways a bell shaped to face forward with a larger flare and a bell diameter of 22 to 28 inches 56 71 cm and a goose neck leadpipe which offers greater adjustability of mouthpiece position at the expense of tone quality Both the sousaphone and helicon have a wide and roughly circular shape leaving a large empty area in the center and are designed to be worn around the player s body with the inside of the coil resting on the shoulder The instrument is very popular in Central and Eastern Europe citation needed and is a common instrument for a military band and a mounted band citation needed It is used by Ed Neuhauser of the traditional folk band Bellowhead The range of the B helicon is two octaves below that of a B cornet 1 thus similar to the more common B bass tuba though generally without the additional valves and other optional features sometimes seen on tubas meaning that a few notes in the lowest range are unavailable on the helicon History EditThe helicon is derived from the saxhorn 1 or the saxtuba 2 Helicons were first used in the 1860s in cavalry and artillery mounted bands then later used in military marching bands Helicon family EditThe Slovenian composer Igor Krivokapic invented a new family of Helicons which were produced by the German manufacturer Melton Soprano in E Alto in B Tenor in E Baritone in B Bass in F or EE Contrabass in BB or CC nbsp Two musicians playing helicons nbsp Philip Timms with his E bass helicon in 1909References Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helicons a b Brass instruments The Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music Washington Square Press 1960 p 37 Haine Malou 1980 Adolphe Sax 1814 1894 sa vie son œuvre et ses instruments de musique Brussels Editions de l Universite de Bruxelles p 74 ISBN 978 2 8004 0711 1 Archived from the original on 2013 09 27 Retrieved 2008 12 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Helicon instrument amp oldid 1180635383, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
