Cornamuses / Dolzainas
Cornamuses / Dolzainas
These windcap-instruments are mentioned in literary sources of old and modern times, often with inaccurate or contradictory terms.
In my opinion, the cornamusa is the louder of the two (from french cornamuse, bagpipe), with open, flared bell; the dolzaine the softer (from lat. dulcis, sweet), with a muted bell.
These two bells are interchangeable, so that the same instrument may be played in two different sounds and volumes.
To extend the scale, one or two keys may be added (The standard model is furnished without keys).
Consort of Dolzainas (in pearwood), with keys
Several different types: two basses with two different types of key-protectors (brass box, as on curtals, or wooden fontanelle, as on shawms).
Two tenors, one as cornamuse, the other as dolzaina.
Complete consort of cornamuses: alto in g, alto in f, tenor in c, bass in F, great bass in C.
Standard version without extension keys; maple with shellac varnishing.
The smallest and the largest member of the cornamusa-consort: alto in g and great bass in B.
