Helicon (instrument)

The helicon is a brass musical instrument in the tuba family. Most are B♭ basses, but they also commonly exist in E♭, F, and tenor sizes, as well as other types to a lesser extent.

Helicon
Brass instrument
Classification
Hornbostel–Sachs classification423.232
(Valved aerophone sounded by lip movement)
Related instruments

The sousaphone is a specialized version of the helicon. The first sousaphone, a non-production prototype made by J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc., had an upright bell, hence the nickname "rain catcher" because of its shape. Later production versions differ primarily in two ways: a bell shaped to face forward with a larger flare and a bell diameter of 22 to 28 inches (56–71 cm), and a "goose-neck" leadpipe which offers greater adjustability of mouthpiece position at the expense of tone quality. Both the sousaphone and helicon have circular shapes and are designed to be worn on the shoulder.

The instrument is very popular in Central and Eastern Europe and is a common choice for military fanfares. It is used by Ed Neuhauser of the traditional folk band Bellowhead.

The range of the B♭ helicon is two octaves below that of a B♭ cornet.[1]

History

The helicon is derived from the saxhorn,[1] or the saxtuba.[2] Helicons were first used in the 1860s in cavalry and artillery mounted bands, then later used in military marching bands.

Helicon family

The Slovenian composer Igor Krivokapič invented a new family of Helicons which were produced by the German manufacturer Melton:

  • Soprano in E♭
  • Alto in B♭
  • Tenor in E♭
  • Baritone in B♭
  • Bass in F (or EE♭)
  • Contrabass in BB♭ (or CC)
  • Two musicians playing helicons.
  • Philip Timms with his E♭ bass helicon in 1909

References
  1. "Brass instruments". The Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music. Washington Square Press. 1960. p. 37.
  2. Haine, Malou (1980). Adolphe Sax (1814–1894): sa vie, son œuvre et ses instruments de musique. Brussels: Éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles. p. 74. ISBN 978-2-8004-0711-1. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
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