Pitchhorn
The pitch horn was a wooden wind instrument based on the principle of the upholstered pipe , which was last widespread in the Saxon Vogtland and is now considered extinct.
description
The pitch horn was a square wooden wind instrument. It was put together from thinly split boards in the form of a symmetrical trapezoid , which were coated with pitch and wrapped with hemp for stabilization . A pitch horn with a wooden kettle mouthpiece was blown on . The playing technique corresponded roughly to that of a brass instrument. Original instruments have not been preserved, so that statements about the sound and pitch range can only be made on the basis of reconstructions. Since pitch horns do not show finger holes, valves or flaps on representations, it can be assumed that only tones of the natural tone series could be produced. The tonal range that can be achieved on replicas does not exceed two octaves , the sound is penetrating and horn-like soft.
history
Michael Praetorius reported in 1619 that wooden trumpets were made in Vogtland. At that time, pitch horns were still widely known as signaling instruments. The vernacular said they had magic powers. In the 18th century, the pitch horn was only played as a folk musical instrument by pitch-singers . With the extinction of Pechsiederei, this last local tradition also ended in the 19th century.
literature
- Franz Schüssele : Alphorn and Hirtenhorn in Europe , book and accompanying CD with 63 sound samples (Friesenheim 2000)
- Götz Altmann : "Pechhorn - a folk instrument of the forest people"