Free Reed

Martin, M. B. Eight-Bell Schalmei Horn

Germany, D.R.G.M. Signal
Eastern Europe

German silver, reed
Early 20th century

Length: 20 inches

This Schalmei is an 8-bell signal horn. It is actually a reed instrument that produces a very loud sound. It is very much like a rubber bulbed horn. When no valves are pressed the air goes through a reed and bell(s). When a valve is pressed, the air goes through a different reed and bell(s) which produce a different sound. These have been widely used in Germany as a signal horn for over 100 years. They were used by train conductors to send signals. They were also used during WWII by Nazi youth in parade bands. After WWII the Schalmei was revived in the GDR and the communists used them for the parade bands. Carnival bands used them for the parades. Today there are over 100 Schalmeien groups in Germany, most of them are carnival bands.

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© Hartenberger World Music Collection