Martinshorn

German free reed instrument

This article is about the German brass instrument. For the double reeded woodwind instrument, see Shawm.

Martinshorn

A Martinshorn created c. 1930

Other names| Martin's Trumpet, Schalmei
Classification|  Aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification| 412.132
Inventor(s)| Max B. Martin
Developed| 1880
Related instruments
Harmonica, Accordion
A Martinshorn player at the 2009 Paris Carnival

The Martinshorn (also known as the Martin's trumpet and Schalmei) is a German free reed aerophone created in 1880 by Max Bernhardt Martin, who was also the main manufacturer of the instruments.[1] The Martinshorn contains several reeds, each of which having its own horn.[2] The instrument was created in imitation of the saxhorn.[3] The horn can be confused with the shawm, as they are both referred to by the name "Schalmei"; the origins of the similar naming is unknown.

## History

[edit]

After being created, the prototype of the instrument was presented to Wilhelm II, who allegedly did not understand the instrument as a musical instrument, instead using it as a vehicle horn when driving his automobile.[4]

The schalmei was popularised as an instrument in the 1920s by the German Communist Party, inspired by the Wanderbewegung [de], movement played in bands consisting of 20-30 members.[5] This was particularly effective in the Saarland, where bands were often formed by groups of unemployed coal miners.[6] During the Second World War, many Martinshorns were destroyed by the Nazi Party, under the impression that the instruments were a symbol of Marxism.[4] However, in some parts of Germany, they were used extensively by the Hitler Youth, who, due to their ease of playing and loudness, used them to rally crowds to spread propaganda.[7]

The instrument underwent a period of revitalisation under the GDR, and the tradition of the instrument still prevails in some East German towns. The Martinshorn is usually accompanied by percussion and fifes.[8]

## Construction

[edit]

Martinshorns typically have three valves, although they do not function as in brass instruments, altering the instrument's tube length, instead redirecting the airflow into different bells. Each bell contains a metal reed, playing one note per bell. Most instruments only have 8 bells, so can only play within a diatonic scale, within the range of an octave. Some instruments have a fourth valve, which directs airflow to a modified horn, allowing for chromatic scales. The instrument is only able to be played at one volume, which tends to be rather loud.

Due to being a free reed, the instrument does not require any form of embouchure, tonguing or intonation, only blowing; this greatly improves the instrument's ease of playing.[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Dolmetsch Online - Music Dictionary Sc - Sd". www.dolmetsch.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
2. ^ "Miscellaneous - Schalmei (aka Martinshorn)". CafeSaxophone Forum. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
3. ^ "Typologie des instruments à vent, illustration schalmei". jeanluc.matte.free.fr. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
4. ^ a b "Musicmuseum". www.musikmuseum.dk. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
5. ^ "Martin Horn 'Schalmei' - Alto - Hartenberger World Musical Instrument Collection". Hartenberger World Musical Instrument Collection. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
6. ^ Museum, The Wende (2008-08-21). "A Sound like No Other: The Schalmei". From the Vault. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
7. ^ webster. "Get Ready for Mardi Gras! – A & D Musical Instrument Appraisals – Accredited Senior Appraiser – Musical Instruments and Expert Witness, Rebecca Apodaca, prepares IRS and USPAP compliant musical instrument appraisals for all instruments. Vintage guitar appraisal are her specialty". Retrieved 2022-10-24.
8. ^ "Schalmeienorchester Links". www.musiktreff.info (in German). Retrieved 2022-10-24.
9. ^ "Schalmei/Signal Horn - TubeNet". forums.chisham.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.

* v
* t
* e

Reed aerophones

Double reed|

| Cylindrical bore|

* Balaban
* Chirimia
* Duduk
* Guan
* Piri

|

Conical bore|

* Bassoon
* Bombard
* English horn
* Gralla
* Hne
* Kèn
* Oboe
* Oboe d'amore
* Piston
* Rhaita
* Shawm
* Sopila
* Taepyeongso

Single reed|

| Cylindrical bore|

* Alboka
* Arghul
* Bülban
* Chalumeau
* Clarinet
* Diplica
* Launeddas
* Mijwiz
* Pibgorn
* Reclam de xeremies
* Sipsi
* Xaphoon
* Zhaleika

|

Conical bore|

* Aulochrome
* Heckel-clarina
* Heckelphone-clarinet
* Octavin
* Saxophone
* Tárogató

Free reed|

| Single|

* Bawu
* Bullroarer
* Party horn
* Pitch pipe
* Sneng

|

Sets|

* Accordion
* Claviola
* Concertina
* Couesnophone
* Harmoneon
* Harmonica
* Chromatic
* Diatonic
* Richter-tuned
* Tremolo
* Gourd mouth organ
* Hornophone
* Hulusi
* Khene
* Lusheng
* Mangtong
* Martinshorn
* Melodica
* Organetto
* Physharmonica
* Pump organ
* Guide-chant
* Indian harmonium
* Orthotonophonium
* Saenghwang
* Sheng
* Shō
* Triola
* Yu

Other|

* Bore
* Quadruple reed
* Reed
* Tone hole

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