The Brass Bandsman.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 364

The Brass Bandsman.

(Specially written for “N.Z. Graphic” by Bandmaster Eugene Hulse, late Royal Marines, hon. secretary Auckland Society of Musicians.) PART n. THE BANDSMAN. (Continued.) ECHO ATTACHMENT. The echo attachment fits on to the comet like a slide, with a screw; the piston for it being permanent. In tae attachment, the tube increases eonieally to a diameter of 2J inches. It then diminishes to its normal circumference, forming a bulb-like protuberanee, which is cut off. leaving but a small aperture instead of a large bell for the escape of

air. The vibration within the bulb is thus alternately retarded and accelerated in such a manner that, whilst the pitch is sharpened, the diminished volume of sound remains in aceord with the normal tone of the instrument. All sound appears to be an echo of reflection THE FLUGEL HORN. ORIGIN. The word flugel is the German for ••wing.’’ Some authorities say the ’“flugel horn" owes its name to the fact that the player of sueh an instrument in a German regimental band is usually a flank, or •’flugel." man. DESCP.’ PTION The flugel-horn resembles the cornet in shape, but it is somewhat larger USES. The B flat flugel horn constitutes a splendid contralto to the B flat cornet In a brass band it rounds the volume of the cornet section, and gives it a more pleasing tone colour. Some bands prefer to use them as substitutes for third and fourth cornets, and the tone is very effective in that capacity. TONE. The flugel horn has a soft, sweet, and mellow tone, and is especially adapted to brass band music. It imparts diversity in tone colour to the band of saxhorns. PITCH. The flugel horn is generally crooked in B flat, though occasionally to be met with in F and E flat. POETRY. “Take tbou no scorn, to wear the horn. It was the crest ere then was’t born: Thy father's father wore it. Any thy father bore it; The horn, the horn, the lusty horn. 1« not a thing to laugh to scorn.'* —Shakespeare. SAXHORN. DESCRIPTION. The horn is the most genial of all brass instruments. As a melodic instrument the horn is of a most sublime

character. The two different classes of horns in general use are the French horn, which is chiefly used in orchestras and military bands, and the sax, or upright, horn, in general use in brass bands. Of the saxhorn, the mechanism may be briefly described by which all notes are obtained throughout the compass of the instrument without recourse to crooks. The valves divert the columns of air into extra portions of the tubes, which practically increase it in its entire length, and this, of course, lowers the pitch. There are three valves in the saxhorn, but it has been pointed out by Dr. Stone that, from the closeness of the harmonies to one another, in the part of the scale chiefly used by two valves, the first and second would be sufficient

ACTUAL SOUND PRODUCED. For the information of those who are desirous of studying the sounds produced, when the music is written in the treble clef, the following table will be found useful: Horn in B Flat (alto) —A tone lower than the notation. Horn in A—A minor third lower than the notation. Horn in G—A perfect fourth lower than the notation.

Horn in F—A perfect fifth lower than the notation. Horn in E—A minor sixth lower than the notation. Horn in E Flat—A major sixth lower than the notation. Horn in D—A minor seventh lower than the notation. Horn in C —An octave lower tnan the notation. Horn in B Flat (basso) —A major ninth lower than the notation. COMPASS. The compass of the valve horn in F and E flat extends from A flat below the staff to C natural above, but the latte' note is known and used by very fc.v horn players. TIMBRF. The majestically pleasing sound of the horn depends in part upon the absolute purity of intonation of the combined sounds, which only exist when horns ™ the same key are placed together DESCRIPTION. Horns are instruments of 16U tone Horns in C sound an oetave lower than the notation.

OVERBLOW IN G. When we consider the beautiful soft tones which the horn is capable of gi* - ing, the performer should be extremely careful not to overblow his instrument but, on the contrary, subject it to car» treatment, i.e., if he wishes to produce the soft, mellow tones which by right belongs to the instrument. SELECTION OF. The saxhorn blends witn the general harmony of a brass band, and ean take

important parts, or a useful, but sub ordinate one. Saxhorns form the element upon which the accompaniment to melody parts i« based, and great care should always be taken in their tune, and in the selection of their voice timbre. ORIGIN Saxhorns are named after the Sav family. To the Sax family we owe much, as they were undoubtedly the inventors of brass band instrument* PITCH. The tenor saxhorn is pitched in F and E flat, and is sometimes called the althorn. In brass bands it replaces th* French horn, the latter instrument being on the march too soft in tone. EASY TO LEARN The saxhorn is easier to learn than the French horn, and it presents greater facility in rapid passages. It is easy to learn and to play. TIMBRE. The timbre of the saxhorn is soft and mournful. BARITONEDESCRIPTION. The baritone, sometimes called the althorn. like the other classes of saxhomr has three valves, and the music for it is always written in the treble elefRroad melodies and rapid passages come out well on this instrument. Solos are occasionally given to the baritone in brass hands. Some years ago every piece of musie in the shane of a solo for saxhorns was written for and given to the baritone, bnt now matters have changedand the euphonium has them. EUPHONIUM DESCRIPTION The valves are worked bv the fingers of the right hand, hut should there ho the extra fourth and fifth valves, these extra ones are manipulated by the left hand. Tn modenr musie the euphonium is much emploved. It nets the part of the ’cello to the brass instruments COMPASS. Its compass is very remarkable, depending entirely on the flexibility and power of the lip of- the’ performer. In its lowest sounds there is a distinct falling off, and the quality of its pedal notes are somewhat harsh.