Mellophone
The mellophone or melophon, also known as the mellophonium, is a brass instrument and belongs to the horns .
It is mainly played in military orchestras, marching bands and the like, which have a great tradition in the USA . There it replaces the French horn in marching formations , as it is easier to handle when walking and the bell points forward. This is important for both aural and choreographic reasons. So it behaves similarly to the sousaphone compared to the tuba .
Its range extends from F sharp to c². Mellophones are usually tuned in their basic pitch in F or Eb. The overtone row is an octave above the F French horn. The mellophone has three valves , like the trumpet . A kettle mouthpiece - identical to that of the trumpet - is usually used for the mellophone , since it is used as an alto horn . Alternatively, a French horn mouthpiece is also available. However, you need a suitable adapter for this.
