From: Henry Howey [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ray and I are both bass trombone players;-)
The reason was that (as Ray noted) the traditional British Bass band
bass trombone was an instrument pitched in G. ALL of the instruments
in BB are transposing. The only reason (I believe) was the
difficulty of people who lived in B-flat and E-flat to do a G
transposing treble clef.
I say this as one who (for three years) made part of his living
playing the bass herald trumpet made by Boosey and Hawkes for the
coronation of the present queen in 195X. It was pitched in G;
however, I only read a G treble part supplied by my arranger
colleagues from the United States Army Band.
--
The G bass herald trumpet wasn't made for any specific coronation. It was/is
a standard element in British pageantry. Most often heard in the opening
fanfares of military displays/tattoos played by members from all of the
bands involved in the actual show.
Besson/Boosey Hawkes apparently have cancelled the production of these
fanfare trumpets, which came in Eb sopranino, Bb soprano and tenor, plus the
G bass version. At least a high level BH employee referred me to a certain
Manchester repairman for second hand samples.
However I got my specimen from eBay. A well made instrument and quite a
player, if one takes its narrow scope of its intended usage into
consideration.
I happen to have a soft spot regarding brasses in G. The last time I
counted, I had 8 of them including fine samples from Alexander, King,
Kanstul, Hawkes, Besson, and BH.
End of boasting mode.
Klaus
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