Antique Musical Instruments/Frank Holton Coronet #13395

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Expert: - 11/29/2007


Question
I just acquired this Holton coronet with its original case. Inside the case are several addition slides, & I was wondering if these were used to change from a Bb to a C? Also any info on the age? Thanks for your time.

Answer
Your horn dates back to 1911.  And, there are several possibilities, with the extra slides you have.  They might have to do with changing the key of the horn, C, Bb and A are the most common. And/or it might have to do with letting the horn play in both high pitch or low pitch (modern pitch).  Back when this horn was made there was still a struggle as to what pitch to use.

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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