alpine horn

alpenhorn. / (ˈælpˌhɔːn) / noun. music a wind instrument used in the Swiss Alps, consisting of a very long tube of wood or bark with a cornet-like mouthpiece.

The alphorn or alpenhorn or alpine horn is a labrophone, consisting of a straight several-meter-long wooden natural horn of conical bore, with a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece.

Like the didgeridoo, the Indian bamboo or wooden trumpet and the African horn, the alphorn is one of the original wooden wind instruments. The alphorn in Switzerland was first documented in the mid-16th century by natural scientist Conrad Gesner.

Musicians regard instruments made of wood as being brass instruments because the tones are produced by the same blowing techniques. The distinctive sound of the alphorn, however, combines the richness of a brass wind instrument with the softness of a woodwind instrument.

adjective. 1. often not capitalized : of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountains. 2. often not capitalized : of, relating to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the elevated slopes above timberline.

The alphorn is used by mountain dwellers in the Swiss Alps. Similar wooden horns were used for communication in most mountainous regions of Europe, from the Alps to the Carpathians.

The alphorn is carved from solid softwood, generally spruce but sometimes pine. In former times, the alphorn maker would find a tree bent at the base in the shape of an alphorn, but modern makers piece the wood together at the base.

The horn sounds quite different from all other brass instruments. This is due to the deep, conical mouthpiece, the large bell and the hand-stopping technique of inserting one's right hand into the bell. Its sound ranges from full, velvety, warm and soft to bright and metallic.

The alphorn has long been a tool used by shepherds. It was used to call the cows from the pastures and into the barn at milking time.

Alpine, Texas called “The Eden of the West,” by international journalist, Enoch Worlanyo, is known for its scenic beauty, stunning geology, rich history, cultural heritage, dark skies, as well as its warm and welcoming people.

alp (n.) "high, snow-capped mountain," especially in Switzerland, 1590s, from Alps, from French Alpes, from Latin Alpes "the Alps," which is perhaps from altus "high," or albus "white" or from a Celtic word (according to Maurus Servius Honoratus the grammarian), or a borrowing from a non-Indo-European language.

Since an alphorn is a natural instrument, its length also defines the basic tone or tuning. Horns are available in lengths between 2.45 m and 4.05 m. In Switzerland, the length has been set at 3.47 m, which corresponds to the keynote “f#”. Usually the alphorn is made up of three parts for easier transport.