chalumeau

American  

[shal-yuh-moh, sha-ly-moh] / ˌʃæl yəˈmoʊ, ʃa lüˈmoʊ /

noun

plural

chalumeaux

1. Music. the low register of the clarinet.

2. a 17th- or 18th-century woodwind instrument.

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Etymology

Origin of chalumeau

1705–15; < French: originally, flute made from a reed, stem of a reed; Old French chalemel < Late Latin calamellus narrow reed; see calamus, -elle

Example Sentences

Sévère’s tone was rounded and mellow, rich in the low chalumeau register and clarion bright at the top, without becoming harsh in the small hall.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2015

Nina Stern, who played recorders and chalumeau, a precursor of the clarinet, has made her home at the intersection of early and Middle Eastern music.

From New York Times • May 6, 2013

This early clarinet or improved chalumeau has a clarinet mouthpiece, but no bulb; it measures 50 cm.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

By adding the speaker-hole to the old chalumeau, J.C.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

The Hotteterre chaunter, known as le petit chalumeau, had six keys, whereas the grand chalumeau had seven, besides eight finger-holes and a vent-hole in the bell.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various