basset horn

noun

1. an alto horn with a soft tone.

basset horn

noun

1. an obsolete woodwind instrument of the clarinet family

Word History and Origins

Origin of basset horn¹

1825–35; < German Bassetthorn < Italian corno di bassetto horn of a somewhat low range. See corn ², basset ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of basset horn¹

C19: probably from German Bassetthorn , from Italian bassetto , diminutive of basso + horn

Example Sentences

Like the basset horn, Streitwolf's instruments had the four chromatic open keys extending the compass downwards to B♭.

From Project Gutenberg

The bore of the basset horn is wider than that of the alto clarinet in E♭, or of the tenor clarinet in F.

From Project Gutenberg

This brings the compass of the basset horn to a range of four octaves from , actual sounds .

From Project Gutenberg

Like the clarinet, the basset horn is a transposing instrument, its music being written a fifth higher than the actual sounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Mozart wrote several pieces for the basset-horn, and Beethoven employed it in his Prometheus overture.

From Project Gutenberg