Dulcians in the Museu da Música, Lisbon

 

Museu da Música
R. João de Freitas Branco
Metro Alto dos Moínhos
1500-359 Lisboa
Portugal
Tel: +351 1 7710991/8
Fax: +351 1 7710999



 

The Museu da Música in Lisbon contains one bass dulcian made from Walnut, length 101.0 cm. The key is missing. The bocal is probably not original.

This instrument has a few special properties:

  • The back contains only 2 holes, no key, see drawing below. Lowest notes: C, D, F, G ...
  • Lengthwise made from two halves that are glued together.

Bass dulcian in Lisbon, front.  Photo: João Mateus.  Click for a large picture. Bass dulcian in Lisbon, front.  Photo: Paolo Tognon.  Click for a large picture.

Bass dulcian in Lisbon, back.  Photo: João Mateus. Bass dulcian in Lisbon, back.  Photo: Paolo Tognon.  Click for a large picture.

Key cover.  Photo: João Mateus.  Click for a large picture Key cover.
Top of the instrument with the vertical joint. Joint.  Photo: João Mateus.  Click for a large picture
Bell.  Photo: João Mateus.  Click for a large picture Top with the bell.

 

Drawing of the bass dulcian.

Hole VII is the hole for the front key.
Holes VIII and IX are the two holes in the back of the instrument.
Holes I .. VI are in the down bore. Holes VII .. IX are in the up bore.

Bass dulcian drawing by João Mateus.    Click for a larger picture. 
Cross section.  Drawing by João Mateus.  Click for a large picture Cross section at holes I - IX
Note the I shaped joint.

Fingering chart of the copy made by João Mateus after the Baixão of Lisbon, lowest octave only.

c 1 2 3 - - - - - -
B 1 2 3 4 - - - - -
A 1 2 3 4 5 - - - -
G 1 2 3 4 5 6 - - (10)
F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - 10
E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - -
D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -
C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10

Note: number 9 is not used in this fingering chart as a hole or key for the low D is missing on this instrument.



Thanks for the information João Mateus.

Remarks and comment to: Hans Mons

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© Copyright 1999-2002 by Hans Mons.
Last updated on 4 May 2002