Baritone horn

Baritone Horn

The baritone horn, or simply baritone, is a brass instrument in the saxhorn family. It is a valve instrument with a predominantly cylindrical bore, like the trumpet, and uses a wide-rimmed cup mouthpiece, like that of a trombone. In the United Kingdom, the baritone horn has been a staple of brass bands since the 19th century, while in the United States, it is most commonly found in school and college concert bands.

History

The baritone horn was developed in the 19th century by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian instrument maker, flautist, and clarinetist. Sax is also known for inventing the saxophone. The baritone horn was part of Sax's intention to create a complete set of saxhorns, which were designed to fill the tonal gap between the French horn and the tuba.

Design and Construction

The baritone horn is made of brass, usually yellow or gold, but can also be silver-plated. It has three or four valves, which are either piston or rotary style. The instrument's tubing is wound to make it compact for carrying and playing. The bore size of the baritone horn affects its tone: a smaller bore will produce a brighter tone, while a larger bore will create a richer, fuller sound.

Playing Technique

Playing the baritone horn involves buzzing the lips into the mouthpiece to create sound. The valves are used to change the pitch by altering the length of the tubing that the air travels through. The baritone horn is a transposing instrument in B-flat, meaning that when no valves are pressed, the instrument will produce a B-flat note.

Roles and Usage

In a brass band, the baritone horn usually provides a harmonic foundation, often doubling the melody an octave or two below the lead. In concert bands, the baritone horn often plays a similar role to the trombone, but can also take on more melodic parts.

See Also

• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Saxhorn
• Brass instrument