Antique Musical Instruments/E A Couturier Valve Trombone

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Expert: - 3/6/2008


Question
I have recently seen a silver Valve Trombone with E A Couturier La Plante IN on the bell.  I can find a small amount of information on the web re Mr. Couturier, a few pictures and a small amount of info on the Couturier cornet, but NOTHING on the valve trombone manufactured by his company.  The tubing around the valves is very similar to the cornet photos I have seen.  What can you tell me about the instrument?  What about its playability?  Thanks.

Answer
Couturier's idea was to take advantage of conical tubing to make the horn sound as mellow as possible. It should have a more pleasant sound - less edgy - than the typical valve trombones of the period.  I've not played one of his trombones, but his trumpets and cornets play well.

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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