The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.43

c11.43

Instruments of the trumpet kind—in which tones are produced by the lips vibrating within a cup-shaped mouthpiece—appear to be of very great antiquity, for mention is made of them in both the great Hindu epics—the Mahambhârata and the Ramâyana. There are large curved horns which in tone much resemble the Alp-horns of Switzerland. There are both straight and bent trumpets. The method of making an instrument of this kind more portable by being turned back, but without shortening its length of tubing, would seem to be very ancient. It is difficult to describe any definite scale for these instruments, for they are, with one or two exceptions, rarely used by any but men of low caste, and their proper compass is not employed or understood. The great similarity between the shape of the modern trumpet and the Indian tuturi is very striking, especially when it is remembered that this shape has not been copied from the European instrument, but has existed in India from remote ages.