Susafon - a brass instrument of bass sound, a kind of helicon (differs mainly in increased size). It got its name in honor of the American bandmaster and composer John Philip Sous (1854–1932), who popularized it using it in his brass band .
| Sousaphone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Brass wind instrument |
| Related tools | Tuba , Helikon |
History
The helicon used at that time in the US Marine Orchestra did not satisfy D.F. Susa: the helicon had a small bell, a smaller diameter, and the sound from it went to the left. What was needed was an instrument whose sound would go up above the orchestra, but which would be lighter than a tuba. Susa's idea was embodied in 1893 by James Welsh Pepper (Charles Welsh Pepper ) and again in 1898, Charles Gerard Conn ( English Charles Gerard Conn ).
Initially, the instrument was designed not as a march, but as a concert one (by the time the idea was implemented, Susa left the post of conductor of the Marine Corps orchestra) with a full, rich sound. The sound was achieved by expanding the bell and neck of the instrument, as well as the direction of the bell up. The design has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, only the diameter of the socket has changed from 22 to 26 inches. Since the mid-1930s, the bell has been standardized at 26 inches (65 cm). The weight of the Susafon is about 10 kilograms.
Design
Suzaphone is a valve brass wind instrument with the same range and fingering as the tubes. The shape of the Susafon is such that the bell is above the head of the musician and is directed forward. The gates are located directly in front of the musician slightly above the waist, most of the weight of the instrument falls on one shoulder of the musician. The bell, as a rule, is separated from the rest of the tool, for ease of transportation and storage. With the exception of appearance, the Suzaphone is structurally very similar to standard vertical tubes.
Like its predecessor (Helikon), the Suzaphone gained popularity in brass bands when playing while standing or on the go: compared to the tube, for which, for a long game, to use weight to use belts, the Suzaphone due to its design and location when playing (the Susaphone is hung on the left shoulder over head) distributes its weight better.
Most of the Susafons are made of sheet copper or brass, the color of the instrument is usually yellow or silver, some parts are decorated with gilding, silver, varnish, as well as many other brass instruments. Recently, some manufacturers have been manufacturing fiberglass suzaphones to reduce weight and cost and to increase service life.
The large surface area of the sousaphone bell facing the viewer is often used to apply the name or logo of the orchestra to it.
Literature
- Chernykh A.V. Suzaphone // Soviet wind instrumental art: Handbook. - M .: Soviet composer, 1989 .-- S. 111. - 320 p.