Instruments: The Serpent Forveille

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Serpent Forveille: site under construction

 

The serpent Forveille consists of three sections, a swan-shaped bocal, a "zagged middle" section of metal, and a J-shaped wooden bell-stock. Appearing in 1823 in Paris, the instrument also took its name from its inventor and seems to have been played more within a chamber music than military setting.

Hermenge's 1835 serpent Forveille treatise includes an impressive array of duets and caprices. With six fingerholes, no thumbhole, and 3-4 keys, the serpent Forveille may represent the best balance between a clear, upper third octave and a full, forceful bass register.

 
 

maker's signature:
Darche

For a complete description of the different types of bass horns, see

Bass horns and Russian bassoons by Craig Kridel

exploring the role of
early 19th century brass
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