The Serpentone


There's not a lot of information online about this unusual instrument, the Serpentone, and much of it is in Italian. Italian wikipedia (via google translate) tells us that it was invented in the sixteenth century and was "used as a low to accompany choirs and chamber music."

Italian wikipedia also tells us that the Serpentone, "is considered the most difficult of instruments, which are part of the family of brass, but, for this reason, perhaps one of the most fascinating."



     Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 03, 2012
     Category: Music





Comments
Weird in deed. I've found very little on the interweb but I think there is one being played in this clip. Deep foghorn noises rumble through the piece. Watch This
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/03/12 at 09:21 AM
Check Wiki under "Serpent (instrument)"...
Posted by tadchem on 10/03/12 at 10:10 AM
You haven't heard a good concerto until you hear "Concerto for Horn And Hardart". The balloons at the end are especially well done.
Posted by KDP on 10/03/12 at 10:11 AM
A quibble: the picture is badly posed. To properly finger the serpent, the right elbow must be above the last bend. This would put the bell on the floor with a seated player. Also, the lips are supposed to *touch* the mouthpiece, which should extend *upwards*.
Posted by tadchem on 10/03/12 at 10:13 AM
I have never heard of one of these.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/03/12 at 08:13 PM
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