Foot bass
pressure wind instrument, 12 tones
♫ Audio (Model Co. Geuns) / ♫ video youtube
(Collection Oriwohl, Nr. B-66)
Patented in 1894, 2-choirs (32'+16'). (B: 60cm, D: 33cm, H: 19cm)
The patent includes fewer foot keys than the instrument shown, which is a later and extended version. Foot basses were also used in bandonion orchestras.
The tone assignment begins on the left with C in the circle of fifths, progressing to B.
The right bow contains the sharps and flats.
The foot bass has single notes without chord coupling.
This foot harmonica produces a rich, unique sound.
An instrument, that can impress even today when used appropriately.
Instead of an Ziehharmonika (pull harmonica),
we could speak here of a pedal harmonica.
Foot bass with open case lid.
The two vertical spring rods cause the bellows to open automatically when the lid is closed after being pressed together with the foot.
Tones can only be produced in one wind direction while the bellows are being compressed. Therefore is the foot bass a pressure wind instrument.
Part of the reeds, two of which always form a 2-choir pair. The larger reed on the left at 32' and the smaller 16' reed on the right, tuned an octave higher, sound together when a foot key is pressed.
The largest reed is 11.8 cm long and 8 mm wide.
The pretension of the reeds, known as the bend, is clearly recognisable.
The resting position of the reed ends is slightly outside the vibration channel, into which they swing due to the pressure wind.
The size of the bend determines how quickly and from what pressure wind strength a tongue responds. The latter determines how quietly a note can be played.
EA new production of the company H. Geuns from Belgium.
(no part of the Oriwohl Collection; picture + audio Co. Geuns)
