Gemshorn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gemshorn (New German spelling: Gämshorn) receives its name from the German language, and means, literally, a chamois horn. It refers to an instrument of the ocarina family that was historically made from the horn of the chamois or other suitable animal. The instrument has a sweet, watery tone color.
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[edit] History
The gemshorn was in use in the 16th Century. The early history of the instrument is not known, but the oldest known clear illustration of one is in 'Musica Getutscht' (1511), by Virdung. They were primarily a pastoral instrument and were not widely known after the mid to late 1500's. With resurgent interest in early music in the 19th and 20th Centuries, they have received new attention, and are now made in consort families from sopranino to bass or lower.
[edit] Construction
They are often made of the horn of domesticated cattle, because it is readily available, and its use prevents endangering wild species. The hollow horn has fingerholes down the front, like a recorder or clarinet. The pointed end of the horn is left intact, and serves as the bottom of the instrument. A fipple, usually of wood, is fitted into the wide end of the instrument, with a window on the front of the horn, for tone production.
Some recent makers have used synthetic materials in place of the animal horn, though it does not seem to have become a common practice.
[edit] Fingering Method
16th Century gemshorns had only a few finger holes, and a very limited range. Modern makers have chosen to build them using the Baroque recorder fingering, or, in some cases, English ocarina fingering.
[edit] Organ Stop
There is a gemshorn organ stop, modeled after this instrument. Its pipes are conical, with the wind going in at the wide end, as in the gemshorn.
