A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bass Horn

by Victor de Pontigny

BASS HORN. This instrument, now obsolete, belonged to the bugle family, and was shaped somewhat like a bassoon. It was made of copper or brass, was blown by a cupped mouthpiece and had 4 finger-holes and 2 keys. In Germany some were made of wood. The scale was similar to that of the serpent, extending down to B♭ below the bass stave.

[ V. de P. ]