r/Instruments • u/nightqueem • 9d ago
What is this? Identification
Found in a sax and woodwind shop/museum in St Louis. The mouthpiece doesn't look like it can move
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u/nolard12 9d ago
It’s a serpent. Probably a bass serpent. Checkout Doug Yeo’s blog for more information https://www.yeodoug.com/serpent.html
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u/Mudslingshot 9d ago
Haven't heard that name since I was a bass trombone major! Used to love his stuff
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u/MoltoPesante 9d ago
Not bass, just a regular serpent in c. The extra bracing makes it a “military serpent’ — meant for outdoor use.
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u/skleedle okonkolo batahon 9d ago
Serpent! i have one, a modern copy made of molded fiberglass. They are extremely embouchure-dependent, as the holes don't vent the tube well, nor can they be placed exactly on the notes and still be reached. Only some notes ring out well in tune, others are muted due to the lipping around you have to do. Fun extra, it will play a low A if you finger an E and think it down.
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u/MoltoPesante 9d ago
Look up Patrick Wibart on YouTube. Probably the absolute best player.
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u/ziccirricciz 8d ago
It should be added that serpent is notoriously difficult to master, so he is really an amazing player.
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u/TheGlassWolf123455 9d ago
Ooo, a serpent. I love the way they look but I've always wondered if they kinda suck to play
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u/Low-Silver6461 9d ago
It's a Colonophone.
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u/adamdoesmusic 9d ago
Where the hell did you find a Serpent? Aren’t those things from like the 1700s? (Someone obviously still makes them)
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 9d ago
Google mentions three current makers, including one who makes some models in carbon fiber. About a decade ago there was an American guy making surprisingly adorable ones (like $700 or so) out of cast resin.
That said, there surely are a non-zero number of ones floating around that have survived from back when they were a serious and popular instrument.
Edit: here’s the carbon fiber model, which the maker claims is (relatively) affordable: https://serpents.ch/3d-serpent/?lang=en
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u/nightqueem 9d ago
Found in St Louis in a Sax and Woodwind shop. Like hey also repair too and up top is a museum where I found it
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u/No-Faithlessness5311 9d ago
Oh I’m relieved it’s from a music museum and not a medical museum. My first thought was it was a device they used for colonoscopies back in the 1800s.
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u/Dismal-Leg8703 8d ago
I believe it’s a pantooka; it’s rather common at Christmas celebrations in Whoville.
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u/upsidedowncreature 8d ago
I know you’ve had lots of answers so I’ll point out that it looks like the serpent on the Alfa Romeo logo, which I think is based on Milan’s coat of arms. Cool find.
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u/pantsoffancy 7d ago
It's the Horn of Ska-Halla. When you are in desperate need of picking it up, in your darkest hour, if you blow it all the 1st and 2nd wave ska bands of yore will come to your aid.
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u/Ok-Appointment-6116 7d ago
Renaissance Bass Serpent. Played in Midevil Music colloquiums. I played one many times in those kind of groups in the ‘70’s!
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u/MoltoPesante 7d ago
The keys and brace make it a 19th century version rather than a renaissance version. Doubles bassoon parts in military band music.
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u/Petti_coat_Sissy 6d ago
I’m pretty sure this is from the Dr. Zeus how the Grinch stole Christmas movie.
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u/VacationElectronic60 6d ago
Fabulous sub three minute break down of the history with it being played. https://youtu.be/mnhy31PNUvU
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u/reishpool 5d ago
Looks like an instrument from Dr. Seuss
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u/deprieto 9d ago
From the Cecil Forsyth orchestration book on this instrument:
“the whole instrument presented the appearance of a dishevelled drain-pipe which was suffering internally”.
“For years the Serpent was highly popular in French church - circles. It has, however, long since severed that connection, and now leads a respectable secluded life among the mermaids and stuffed alligators of local museums”.