Pavel Cip Gemshorns, Chalumeau, Cornamusen, RauschpfeifenTtop of Page

Pavel Číp

Chalumeaux (clarinet)

Instrument without keys, with a cylindrical bore, inspired on the less known baroque "chalumeaux". Size and fingering of the chalumeaux are comparable to those of the soprano (descant) recorder. We manufacture the chalumeaux dyed black or in a natural surface finish. The range of the instrument is a ninth.  Tuned to A440 Hz

Cornamusen

Renaissance double reed instrument with a reed-cap. The narrow cylindrical bore lends it its gentle chamber tone. If the damper (bell cover) is removed the sound becomes louder. Applied material: maple, hornbeam, and wood of fruit trees.

We manufacture these models tuned to a1 = 440 Hz:

Sound preview, plays P. MgA. Mgr. Jaroslav Konečný.

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Gemshorns

The Gemshorn is an early form of recorder, made of a cow horn with a cedar fipple inserted at the wide end. It has an incredibly sweet sound due to the conical shape of the horn. They have 7 finger holes and 1 thumbhole, and play similar to a recorder (the sopranino has 5 finger holes plus 1 thumbhole and fingers like an ocarina).  I normally order instruments with gemshorn fingerings (see chart below), as they are better in tune and easier to play than recorder fingerings.  They have a range of one octave and one note. During the 15th c. it must have been a fairly common instrument, as there existed an organ stop of that name.   They can be ordered with gemshorn fingerings (highly recommended--see fingering chart; similar to Renaissance fingerings), or with recorder fingerings (much larger finger holes and hard to play).  These gemshorns are made by Pavel Číp to exacting standards.  Fingering can vary from that given in the fingering chart. Tuning is A440 Hz.

I got in my first sets in mid-March and sent off most of them to waiting customers.  I had 5 instruments left and our Sunday morning recorder consort tried them for about 30 minutes.  The unanimous opinion was that they were beautifully made and sounded wonderfully sweet.  I even played the bass at our recorder society meeting on some Josquin pieces.  The sound is just different enough from a recorder to stand out and adds a sweet tone color to the group.  SATB mp3 file,   SATBGtB mp3 file

Gemshorn Fingering Chart--Gemshorn Fingering

Care of Gemshorns

Gemshorn care is similar to that required for recorders.  Because they have a cedar block, they should be broken in slowly over a period of weeks using the schedule supplied for recorders.  The instruments should be allowed to dry out between uses. They should not be played for more than approximately one hour at a time.  Gemshorns should not be oiled.  The exterior can be cleaned by wiping with a soft damp cloth.

Rauschpfeifen (shreirei)

The construction of this instrument is inspired by preserved period instruments of the 16th century. The range of the instrument is 1,5 (partially chromatic) octave. Material: maple, dyed dark brown or with a natural surface.

These instrument have a wide bore, a louder sound, and a cane double reed (Arundo donax), tuning A440 Hz.

Sound preview, plays P. MgA. Mgr. Jaroslav Konečný.