Martinshorn

The Martinshorn is a member of the free reeds and interruptive aerophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 412.132). Learn how it makes its sound and explore related instruments.

How the Martinshorn makes its sound

In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Martinshorn belongs to the free reeds and interruptive aerophones: air is periodically interrupted by a vibrating reed or blade – the accordion, harmonica, sheng and bullroarer.

More broadly it is one of the aerophones (wind instruments), where sound comes from vibrating air.

Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.

From Wikipedia

The Martinshorn (also known as the Martin's trumpet and Schalmei) is a German free reed aerophone created in 1880 by Max Bernhardt Martin, who was also the main manufacturer of the instruments. The Martinshorn contains several reeds, each of which having its own horn. The instrument was created in imitation of the saxhorn. The horn can be confused with the shawm, as they are both referred to by the name "Schalmei"; the origins of the similar naming is unknown.