Dr. Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter & Dr. Tod Kerstetter

Kansas State University

Ricola! The Swiss Alphorn, the Overtone Series, and a Brief History of Wind Instrument Design

102 Cardwell Hall

November 3, 2014

4:30 p.m.

The basics of the overtone series will be demonstrated on the Swiss Alphorn, a simple instrument with no valves or keys. The evolution of valved brass instruments will be explained, including the use of the hand to change pitches on the horn before the invention of valves. The role of the overtone series in the history of woodwind instrument design will also be discussed and demonstrated on the recorder, the clarinet, and the saxophone.