Deutsche Schalmei

Deutsche Schalmei Ger. name of a very slender shawm made in Germany and the Low Countries, in use from ca. 1680 to 1720. Made in soprano and tenor sizes, the former being ca. 60 cm. (2 ft.) long, lowest tone c1. Each had an extremely narrow bore, terminated in a long, flaring bell, and was provided with a fontanelle. On the soprano this was nonfunctional, as it only covered a venthole, but the tenor had a key. Museum specimens have survived (14, 89 Baines). Sort…