The sousaphone was made to the specifications of the American bandmaster John Philip Sousa (1854–1932). A type of tuba, it has a dramatically wide bell, although it has been argued that the size of the bell has nothing to do with sound production or tone quality and everything to do with being eye-catching. The instrument encircles the player, passing across the right hip and over the left shoulder in the manner of the shoulder-band of a Sam Brown military belt, with the bell rising over the player’s left shoulder to point forwards. An alternative model, with the bell pointing directly upwards – therefore nicknamed the ‘raincatcher’ – proved less saleable. Also known as the ‘helicon’ from its helical shape, the instrument has proved popular with American wind and military bands, but it has not taken off in Europe.

Styles & Forms | Late Romantic | Classical
Instruments | Flugelhorn | Late Romantic | Classical