Ophicleide
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The ophicleide is a family of conical-bore keyed brass instruments invented in early 19th-century France to extend the keyed bugle into the lower range. Of these, the bass ophicleide in eight-foot C o
Ophicleides
Valve Ophicleide in D MET DP 12679 085
Serpent (instrument)
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The serpent is a low-pitched early wind instrument in the lip-reed family, developed in the Renaissance era. It has a trombone-like mouthpiece, with six tone holes arranged in two groups of three fing
Ophicleide
…took root over the course of the 19th century in military bands and as the bass of orchestral brass sections throughout Western Europe, replacing the serpent and its later upright derivatives. By the end of the 19th century, however, it had been largely superseded, in bands by the euphonium and in orchestras…
Serpent, late 18th century Italy. Civic Museum of Modena
Douglas Yeo with serpents in four sizes, from largest to smallest: contrabass, bass, tenor, and soprano
The London Serpent Trio, 1989: Andrew van der Beek (left), Christopher Monk (center), Alan Lumsden (right)
Michel Godard performs on a serpent in the Adrabesa Quartet, 2020. Note, Godard is using the vertical hold.