Gemshorn

The gemshorn is one of the more unusual instruments to make it into the modern early music revival. Its name comes from the German for "chamois horn," reflecting its origins as a pastoral instrument in the Alpine regions of Europe; in practice, historical and modern examples are typically made from domesticated cattle horn. A fipple plug is fitted into the wide end of the horn, with tone holes drilled down the front, giving the instrument an acoustical character similar to an ocarina rather than a recorder. The closed body means the gemshorn cannot be overblown, limiting its range but producing a distinctively soft, warm tone without strong overtones. The first clear written description of the instrument appears in Sebastian Virdung's 1511 treatise Musica Getutscht, and it was in active use through the late 16th century before fading from the scene. Modern makers have revived the instrument, particularly for use in historically informed ensembles playing Renaissance repertoire.

This example is made from a single cow's horn. Tone is quiet and breathy, with the warm, hollow quality characteristic of the instrument family. Plays a diatonic scale of E major