Less is known of the cornamuse than the crumhorn,
since none have survived to present times. However, Michael
Praetorius gives a description of the instrument in his Syntagma
Musicum of 1618. It is essentially a "straight crumhorn" with a
small resonating chamber rather than the flared bore, yielding a
much softer tone. Like the crumhorn, it has a compass of just over
an octave though upward extension keys can be fitted to provide
additional notes. The cornamuse blends very well with recorders;
the bass is particularly useful, providing depth to a recorder
consort.
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A pair of cornamusen built in
American walnut.
Instruments shown here are tenor (upper) and alto
sizes.
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Cornamusen are normally built to individual
order, though a small stock is sometimes available. They can be
provided in soprano, alto, tenor, bass and great bass sizes, with
or without extension keys. Instruments are fitted with synthetic
reeds (from the Renaissance Workshop, Bradford, UK) for ease of
maintenance and trouble-free playing. A variety of timbers is
available.
A bass cornamuse in stained sycamore.
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A set of cornamusen of various
sizes and timbers, namely (from left to right):
alto and tenor in bubinga
soprano and alto in mahuhu
soprano in etimoe
soprano in olivewood
tenor in brazilian rosewood.
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Great bass built in american walnut.
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All instruments are
individually priced; please mail me for a quotation..