Side-Blown Horn
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Musicians in many parts of Africa use horns and tusks as musical instruments, the majority of which are side-blown. This example is made from an East African antelope, or kudu horn. The elegant natural shape of the horn remains after the removal of the bony core. In some regions, large horn bands give spectacular performances.
| Family |
| Brasses |
| Pitch range |
| Variable, but usually two or three notes. |
| Material |
| Animal horns and tusks. |
| Size |
| Variable. |
| Origins |
| Side-blown horns have been played in Africa for many centuries. The example shown here is from East Africa. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| Animal horns and tusks have been used as signaling instruments since the earliest times. By imitating the rhythm antd pitch pattern of words you can "talk" on a horn and so send messages over long distances. This can also be done with drums. |
