I was curious to why high Bb descant horns were invented and what they are of use for. High F descant horns put everything an octave above the low F side and it shifts the partials enough to make a high C the 8th harmonic instead of the 16th harmonic on the standard F side and the 12th on the standard Bb side.
Wouldn't a high Bb horn switch the high C and those below it to the sixth partial and below? Then the fundamental would be the F below middle C, and anything above the 8th partial would be just rediculously high and probably impossible to cleanly play on a standard mouthpiece. Of course, I've heard trumpet players with corni da caccia (note the plural form) playing in the high F range and even a recording of the Naruda Concerto up an octave on I think either a "da caccia" or high Bb horn, but those were trumpet players used to that. So what is the basic premise for these instruments? Is it for the really REALLY high stuff? Is it to make high horn playing sound better somehow since the partials are shifted up and the resistance is much less? Does anyone even think about going higher than 8th partial on them, and if so wouldn't they need a mouthpiece much more similar to a piccolo trumpet's? I've never really asked, and my assumptions may be wrong, so any information on them would be helpful. Thanks! Also, for those on the list that have never seen/heard of them you can see one for sale at osmun at http://store.osmun.com/browse.cfm/4,1310.html -William _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
