History of the
Baritone
The modern baritone, at first glance, can
easily be mistaken for the modern tenor (alto) horn, but closer
examination shows that it has a larger bore, an extra wind of tubing,
and a larger bell and mouthpiece.
The original Saxhorn, which was called a tenor
instrument, was less wound and much taller, and sketched out a shape
like a “b,” with a flared top.
The modern baritone retains this general shape, but in
compacted form, being wound in both lead-pipe and bell tubing. As with
other members of the Saxhorn family, this design greatly shortens the
height of the horn, whilst retaining all of the horn’s performance
characteristics and intonation.
The bell of the modern Saxhorn also differs from the
original, which more resembled a long, narrow cone ending in a small
flare. The modern bell is wider, the bell tubing narrower towards the
end.
