Globular Horns
(Click on any picture to see an enlargement.)
Globular horns are a very uncommon instrument. Technically, they are a family
of buzzed-lip aerophones, related to trumpets and horns in the same way
that ocarinas, or globular flutes, are related to tubular flutes. However,
although a technical rationale and category exists for them, I have not
yet encountered any other instruments of this form. The globular horns I
have built are low pitched, and can be played in a manner similar to a didjeridu.
Finger holes can be added to change the pitch. I have built a few globular
horns like the second example above that incorporate a goatskin membrane
which increases their resonance through sympathetic vibrations, and also
permits them to be played as a drum at the same time as they are being blown
into. Another cool playing technique is the "buzz" (sound sample
below) that is achieved by touching your finger to the vibrating membrane
while blowing into the horn.
The third and fourth examples above are globutubular horns, a hybrid
of globular and tubular instruments. Their bodies are combinations of globular
air chambers and tubular air columns. These horns exhibit some sound and
playing characteristics of each of their parents. The larger globutubular
horns typically produce deep drones, similar to a didjeridu of much greater
length, but with a more hollow tone that is characteristic of a globular
horn.
Read an article
I wrote about globular horns for the Journal of Experimental Musical Instruments.
Sound files (press each 
speaker icon below to hear
the sounds):
Hear a hybrid
globular-tubular horn
Hear a globu-tubular
horn with resonator
Hear a globu-tubular
horn with resonator played as a drum and a horn
Hear
the "buzz technique" on a globu-tubular horn with resonator
Hear
an excerpt of "US Clay" photo of US
Clay instruments
"Globularity", a song performed on a variety of globular horns
