[Trombone-l] Conch shell on Reveultas

[Walter Barrett]

On Aug 14, 2007, at 9:46 PM, Raymond Horton wrote:
>
> I just got the part.  It's unpitched, but the score says that a "tenor
> tuba playing a high E" (I think it means an E above middle C) could
> substitute.  The conch shell that came with all of the percussion
> instruments especially rented for the work plays an F# above middle C.
> The same shell was just used  in another performance by Carlos Miguel
> Prieto's orchestra.  I got to glance at the score, just for the first
> entrance, and the F# looked pretty good for the first entrance (it was
> fairly pandiatonic in E, with an F# in the bass) but I didn't get to
> look at any more of it.
>
>
> Does any one on the list have any experience with this work and/or  
> this
> "instrument"?  Has anyone played either or heard/seen either played?
>
>
> Are these conch shells available anywhere?  I wonder if I could  
> find one
> that: (1) is pitched in E; or (2) has a larger aperture;, or both.
>
>

Put your hand in the "bell" to tune it, you might be able to get it  
down to E.

You can check out Steve Turre playing shells here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuq6prZHoA


Walter Barrett

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money
trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and
pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.
There's also a negative side."
	--Hunter S. Thompson

Alto, tenor, bass trombones
Bass trumpet, euphonium, tuba
Yamaha Artist/Clinician
http://www.walterbarrett.com