Bass horn

What's in a name?

The French name for this instrument, basson russe , is somewhat misleading since it is neither a bassoon (though it perhaps is modeled on this instrument) nor is it Russian in origin. Instead, it's related to the "serpent", a curving natural horn with fingerholes but no keys. The basson russe is said to have been invented around 1789 and used extensively up to around 1840 in Europe and Great Britain. Its tube was straighter than that of a serpent, and it also had a narrower bore which made it easier to play. Some models resembled an upright serpent; these had two nearly parallel straight metal tubes which were connected at the bottom.

J.A. Kappey describes these remarkable looking instruments from his youth:

I distinctly remember having seen in childhood an Austrian band
which made a lasting impression on me. It had 5 or six upright
serpents (bass horns) in the front rank, the bell of each being
shaped like the open mouth of a huge serpent painted blood red
inside, with huge white teeth, and wagging tongue which moved
up and down at every step. As to what or how the band played
I remember nothing except those terrible open jaws!!

Selected References:

• Baines, Anthony. Woodwind Instruments and Their History. London: Batsford, 1957.
• Baines, Anthony. European and American Musical Instruments. London: Batsford, 1966.
• Kappey, J.A. History of Military Music. London: Boosey, 1894.
• "Basshorn". The New Grove Dictionary Of Musical Instruments. 3 vols. Stanley Sadie, ed.. London: MacMillan, 1984.