Saxophones C Melody Saxophones

[mark_addy]

Yes true, but what years / time era to the various Selmer XXX name(s) used? Honestly the Selmer New York or the variants are highly under researched. This subject is worthy of a thread subject all alone.
For the most part I think this current review/ discussion(s) pertains to the early years. Establishing the distinction between H&A Selmer New York(USA) and H. Selmer Paris. Then observations on early Selmer New York C Melody build characteristics. Not S,A,T,B. This to discover and identify the true maker. My observations of Selmer New York C melodies pre 1923 using Buescher SN# dating and marking, built traits. All align with Buescher. I’ll be the first to admit I could be completely wrong.

This statement is insanely accurate and not limited to Elkhart. Like Frank Holton and Ernst A. Couturier
both worked for J.W. York at one time.
Selmer….
View attachment 37298

The name 'Lefebre' seemed familiar from a phrase like 'Lefebrist' and somewhere in my muddled head I thought that might be related to some form of schismatic Bolshevik; but instead I find (of course!) that they are conservative RC ultras, Latin-only refuseniks who resist the liturgical depredations of Vatican II. I doubt there is a connection to production engineers in a musical instrument factory, but you never know with the French!

 

[PigSquealer]

I have a HP English Harmonium (they blow, whereas American reed organs (ahem) suck) from the 1860s which I loosely 'restored' - that is, it sort-of works, whereas it sort-of didn't. When my kids move out I might have space to have another go at it and fix the sticky keys. I only own it because the previous owner threatened to burn it if I didn't take it on (he's long gone, but he saw himself in me because I am pretty sure he acquired it decades earlier in similar circumstances). I can play a few hymns but only in C or Am. I tried to give it to someone earlier this year and my elder daughter (who plays a bit of piano accordion) got the hump, which means she _wants_ it one day. Imagine! 🙂

My Dear Mate Mark.
Thank you for sharing the dynamics of your keyboard personal property….
Your well intended daughter should collect the item directly and do so quickly.
Then transfer for tax deduction benefits.
This due to space availability at the local warehouse…. They will fill this quickly !!!

London Museum

London Museum will open 28 November 2026 breathing new life into two historic Smithfield Market buildings in the City of London.

www.londonmuseum.org.uk

Other disposal options can become quite costly…..toxic waste management.
Proper hymns of tunes played in C or Am and the previous owners dying wishes to carryon? This leads me to believe the instrument is unique and worthy of fungus growth in a proper environment. The above opportunity presents doing so at no or low costs.
Please post your results for other members to learn from.

Sincerely,
A. Pig

 

[turf3]

I have a HP English Harmonium (they blow, whereas American reed organs (ahem) suck) from the 1860s which I loosely 'restored' - that is, it sort-of works, whereas it sort-of didn't. When my kids move out I might have space to have another go at it and fix the sticky keys. I only own it because the previous owner threatened to burn it if I didn't take it on (he's long gone, but he saw himself in me because I am pretty sure he acquired it decades earlier in similar circumstances). I can play a few hymns but only in C or Am. I tried to give it to someone earlier this year and my elder daughter (who plays a bit of piano accordion) got the hump, which means she _wants_ it one day. Imagine! 🙂

The Reed Organ Society :: Home

www.reedsoc.org

https://organforum.com/forums/forum/reed-organs-and-accordions/pump-reed-organs

They cover both vacuum type (most common American style) and pressure type (most common British/European style).

 

[mark_addy]

Thanks for that recommendation. And sorry for heading off on the HP digression with no reference whatsoever to the title of this thread!

 

[lydian]

One more question related to HP. Would it be more correct to call a HP C Melody a C-half-sharp Melody?

 

[LostCircuits]

One more question related to HP. Would it be more correct to call a HP C Melody a C-half-sharp Melody?

I'd call it Messing with the Kid

 

[Pete Thomas]

One more question related to HP. Would it be more correct to call a HP C Melody a C-half-sharp Melody?

C is (IMO) a moveable feast. Who is to say A has to be 440?

 

[LostCircuits]

Rodney Dangerfield comes to mind

 

[turf3]

C is (IMO) a moveable feast. Who is to say A has to be 440?

The "moveable do".

Which leads me to this:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyF-mvZr2Ig

 

[mark_addy]

The "moveable do".

Which leads me to this:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyF-mvZr2Ig

That's some nice playing (from one who, more-or-less, can't) on a nice instrument. 20 years ago I just about got all the keys unstuck on mine...nowadays she'd have that pedal action appearing all over the 5 octaves available!

(Edit - since you were kind enough to encourage my 'free reed' digression, may I offer this here. The fast bits would be just-about doable on a sax (hey, even a C-mel, with a nod to the thread title) for me with a lot of practice - but on a mouth organ? This had me in tears the first time I heard it - I don't know why, it just seems such unlikely skill on so disregarded an instrument. And the changes are nice. 266K views · 5.3K reactions | There he is, the man with the tone that no one can copy. A Hohner 270, directly into the mic, no effects. The journey continues as long as we have something to reach for. | Hendrik Meurkens )

 

[turf3]

Grainger also wrote a version of this for wind band.

 

[jcn664]

@PigSquealer i have asking

I know it existed couesnon c melody dupasquier system but
Do you know if it existed c melody (tenor en Ut en français) leblanc with rational or semi rational system ???

If you say yes, do you've got picture

For me, definitively not or maybe really exclusive proto/custom order limited at 1-2 exemplary maximum

 

[Greychatter]

Folks... Thanks to your feedback, I'm posting a revised C Mel Guide. Among the changes, I've edited the High Pitch / Low Pitch discussion on pages 18-20, and the Selmer discussion on pages 24-26 plus a new Appendix on pages 61-62 (it made more sense to keep the regular Guide focused on "is this valuable?" and put the detail into an Appendix). Constructive feedback is cheerfully welcome. I'm hoping to publish a "final" version this weekend.

The Guide - Proposed Final

 

[turf3]

I like the "members are USUALLY well behaved" bit.

 

[turf3]

Grainger also wrote a version of this for wind band.

In fact, I'm kind of sorry I don't have a concert band to participate in; I'd like to play this one.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a28jR7wVOXQ&list=RDa28jR7wVOXQ&start_radio=1

 

[Greychatter]

I like the "members are USUALLY well behaved" bit.

I could soften it to "OFTEN"...

 

[turf3]

Occasionally...

 

[turf3]

Have been known to be...

 

[Targa]

Folks... Thanks to your feedback, I'm posting a revised C Mel Guide. Among the changes, I've edited the High Pitch / Low Pitch discussion on pages 18-20, and the Selmer discussion on pages 24-26 plus a new Appendix on pages 61-62 (it made more sense to keep the regular Guide focused on "is this valuable?" and put the detail into an Appendix). Constructive feedback is cheerfully welcome. I'm hoping to publish a "final" version this weekend.

The Guide - Proposed Final

That’s a bit out concerning ballpoint pens replacing fountain pens in the 50s.
It was compulsory to use fountain pens for GCE exams in the mid 60s.

 

[Greychatter]

That’s a bit out concerning ballpoint pens replacing fountain pens in the 50s.
It was compulsory to use fountain pens for GCE exams in the mid 60s.

Valid point. Edited the Peak column in the master copy to read: 1880s-1960s.