Doublereed Archive - Posting 000009.txt from 2004/02

From: srobert9@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [DR-L] im just wondering
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2004 22:00:57 -0500

yes, to my suprise, google only reveals one hit, a sort of phantom ebay registry, an old sale it seems. from what i can find based on limited results from moderate research is that the full name is a "couenophone goofus organ sax"---I'll describe it to you--it is roughly the size of a curved soprano sax, it is made primarily of brass. it more closely resembles the shape of an alto clarinet while about the size, once again, of a soprano sax. it has a silver mouthpiece which is simply a tube made of silver so as one does not have to place one's lips on unlaquered brass.
there is a system of keys in the same pattern as a piano--covering two octaves. if you were holding this instrument like a sax the keys (which resemble trumpet valve pistons) would be facing away from you. if you depress a key it engages a metal reed--any combination of keys can be depressed, and each tone will sound when the instrument is blown through. in effect, what you get is a very large harmonica that can be fingered like a piano. you can play chords, melodies, or melodies accompanied by chords--anything you could play on a two octave piano you can play on this very large fingered harmonica thingie. QUITE an interesting find--i wish i could send you a picture but alas, i do not have the technology:-(
cheers
sr

Stephen T Robertson
Bassoonist
George Mason University

----- Original Message -----
From: ContraReed@-----.com
Date: Monday, February 2, 2004 9:47 pm
Subject: Re: [DR-L] im just wondering

> In a message dated 2/2/04 9:33:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> srobert9@-----.edu
> writes:
>
> << I stumbled across an instrument called a Couenophone---and, if
> anyone can
> tell me anything about THAT instrument i'll be greatful! >>
>
> Have you tried Googling it?
> DOUBLEREED-L mailing list
> DOUBLEREED-L@-----.edu
> http://lists.washburn.edu/mailman/listinfo/doublereed-l