Helicon (musical instrument)

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The helicon is part of the fanfare of the French Republican Guard.
The helicon is part of the fanfare of the French Republican Guard.
This article is about the musical instrument. For other uses of "helicon", see Helicon (disambiguation).

The helicon is a brass musical instrument in the BB-flat Bass family.

It is the predecessor of the sousaphone, and both instruments have circular shapes and are typically worn over the shoulder. A distinguishing characteristic of the helicon is a smaller diameter in the coiled chamber which forms the body of the instrument.

The instrument is very popular in central and eastern Europe and is a common choice for military fanfares.

Its range is two octaves below that of a cornet.[1]

[edit] History

The helicon is derived from the saxhorn.[1]

[edit] Helicon family

The German manufacturer Melton developed these instruments using the acoustical proportions of the mighty Červený Imperial BB-flat Contrabass Helicon:

  • Soprano in E-flat
  • Alto in B-flat
  • Tenor in E-flat
  • Baritone in B-flat
  • Bass in F (or EE-flat)
  • Contrabass in BB-flat (or CC)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Brass instruments". The Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music. (1960). Washington Square Press. p. 37.