Contrabass serpent, nominal pitch: 16-ft C

Joseph and Richard Wood

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Instrument

Serpent/Serpents/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Serpent

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Joseph and Richard Wood

Place Made

Huddersfield ; Europe ; England ; United Kingdom

Date Made

Circa 1840

Description

Overall size: 1360. Bore: distal end of alternative crook 35.4, bell 197. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. (original crook) 14.2 13.2, (alternative crook) 13.4 13.2. Technical description: Wood with leather binding; brass stays, bell mount, crook receiver mount, keywork and crooks; crook overall lengths: original 1360, alternative 1034; no finger holes; keys arranged for right hand held under tube. L0:Bb. L1:B. L2:A. L3:Ab. L4:G. R0:C#; D. R1:Eb. R2:E. R3:F. R4:F#. Keyhead type: flat round. No inscriptions. Wooden case made by C.W. Monk c 1985. Restored by C.W. Monk c 1985. Alternative crook made by Ted Kirby for C.W. Monk c 1985. General usage of type: This is the only known octave contrabass serpent apart from modern examples. Usable pitch: Plays at A4 = 465 Hz with original crook and mouthpiece. Performance characteristics: Good response throughout range. A detailed fingering chart for use at A4 = 465 Hz prepared by A. van der Beek is in the owner's documentation. Purchased by lender with and probably formerly used with mouthpiece (2941), probably made for this instrument. Specific literature references: Morley Pegge 1959; G.S. (1986) No 125; Phillips auction catalogue 16.03.89, lot 48; Dullat 1992, p.110. Illustration references: Galpin Society Journal XII (1959) Plate II; G.S. (1986) No 125; Phillips auction catalogue 16.3.89, Plate 3; Dullat 1992, p.111. Specific usage history: Played for some 20 years by the makers in Almondbury Church, Huddersfield, and on occasion in York Minster. Possibly also played by the makers in local bands. Used more recently in the 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival, by the London Serpent Trio 1985 1988 and in the Serpent Celebration, St John's, Smith Square, London, 13th July 1990. Dubbed `The Anaconda' by Morley Pegge (1959).

Other Information

General usage of type: This is the only known octave contrabass serpent apart from modern examples. Specific usage history: Played for some 20 years by the makers in Almondbury Church, Huddersfield, and on occasion in York Minster. Possibly also played by the makers in local bands. Used more recently in the 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival, by the London Serpent Trio 1985 - 1988 and in the Serpent Celebration, St John's, Smith Square, London, 13th July 1990. Dubbed `The Anaconda' by Morley Pegge (1959).