The use of Gemshorns dates back at least to early Renaissance days. A "Gems" is an Alpine mountain goat, a distant relative of African Antelopes. Horns of the Gems are not available anymore, so Texan or African cowhorns are now used. Gemshorns are relatives of ocarinas, but use the same fingerings as recorders. A range of one octave and a minor third is available. The sound is very rich and of the same pitch as equally named recorders. Gemshorns feature a curved labium and windway and respond excellently to cross fingerings. Playing gemshorns in any combination is very rewarding. Because gemshorns are precisely pitched musical instruments they are used frequently by early music and folk music ensembles. The horns are highly polished. A pouch and a fingering chart are included in the price. Our Gemshorns are individually made in our Brasstown, NC workshop or imported from Europe.

From left to right:
Soprano in -c"-, alto in -f'-, tenor in -c'-, bass in -f-.

Designed by George Kelischek and manufactured in our Brasstown, NC shop. These great sounding and affordable Gemhorns are made from a tough plastic known as 'ABS'.

With a basic scale in -c"-, the range is from -b’- to -d#”’-, they are approximately 7” long. With Baroque fingering, double holes for -c-c#- and -d-d#-. A fingering chart and pouch are included in the price.

Ivory, Black, Cherry Red, Ultra Blue, Marine Blue, Rosewood-Brown.

Click for larger image.

Compiled by George Kelischek, 104 one-octave tunes!  All playable on the soprano gemshorn.

A good companion book for -c- gemshorns and ocarinas.