Ophicleide

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɒfɪklaɪd/

Definitions

1. A large brass instrument with a conical bore that produces deep tones, commonly used in bands and orchestras, and played using a reed mouthpiece similar to that of a clarinet
2. This is a conical brass wind instrument that serves as a substitute for the serpent, utilized in various musical ensembles, featuring a mouthpiece akin to that of a clarinet
3. A brass musical instrument with a tapered tube and reed mouthpiece, known for its rich, deep sound and use in bands and orchestras

Etymology: The ophicleide was built to fix a problem with the serpent, a wooden instrument whose bass line was notoriously hard to play in tune. In 1817 the Frenchman Jean Hilaire Asté, known as Halary, patented a brass replacement with keys, and the name he gave it reveals its purpose. "Ophi-" comes from the Greek "ophis," meaning serpent, while "kleis" meant key, so the name literally means "serpent-key." The instrument kept the serpent's snaky, bass-register role but gained the brass tone and reliability of a keyed instrument. The ophicleide's rise was brief. It found its way into orchestras and military bands through the nineteenth century, and Hector Berlioz wrote parts for it in works such as his Symphonie fantastique, giving it a memorable growl in the lower register. Its awkward handling and heavy tone were eventually displaced by the tuba, which offered a more even sound and easier fingering, and the ophicleide faded from use by the late 1800s.