Alphorn is a term that refers to both a specific instrument known as the Alpenhorn, a pastoral instrument from the Alps, and a group of instruments known as folk trumpets. Since ancient times, instruments in the alphorn family or with a striking resemblance have been used for warnings and signaling. The Israelites’ ram’s horn shofar and the Australian Aborigines’ wooden didjeridu are two of the earliest examples of similar instruments. Although the alphorn is associated with Switzerland, it is also found in Sweden, Russia, Romania, Germany, and Hungary.
A true alphorn is made of wood, such as birch, cherry, spruce, fir, lime, or poplar, and is held together with bark, such as birch bark, cane, gut, or root material. Carving or elaborate painted decoration can be found on some horns. It is possible for the bell to be straight or curved. Some alphorn mouthpieces are made of wood, either fashioned at the end of the alphorn body or carved separately, while others are attached to the alphorn body with a cornet mouthpiece. Twenty Swiss companies now produce alphorns, which have a beech or plastic mouthpiece and are electronically tuned.
An alphorn can be anywhere between 4 and 12 feet long (1.2–3.7 meters). Because of its length, the alphorn’s end is frequently resting on a small specially made stand on the ground. The pitch of the alphorn is controlled by the embouchure and can span up to four octaves, similar to brass instruments. Only tones in the alphorn’s harmonic series are produced. The sound of an alphorn is similar to that of a French horn.
At the conclusion of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, Alphorn melodies are mentioned. A number of alphorn concertos were composed in the twentieth century, and recordings are still being made today.