Hear It! - What does your Serpent sound like?
Ok, keep in mind that I have been endeavoring to build a serpent a great deal longer than I have been attempting to play one, but several people have asked for a sound file. As my playing improves I will update this link. The serpent takes a very controlled lip. The completely conical bore does not provide a very good pitch center. This is a good thing since many notes have to be lipped from just a few fingerings. The down side is that it takes a great deal of concentration to play in tune. Here is an MP3 rendition of my favorite Christmas carol. The key is F and the lowest note you hear is the low C on the serpent.
I was asked recently about the tuning standard of my serpent and was it A=440. Those of you who have played a serpent, a cornetto, or the like probably know why I have to smile when I answer this question. My serpent is designed for an A = 440 tuning, but playing in tune at any standard within plus or minus 20 cents of A = 440 is probably possible, though probably a tad more difficult. To be honest the serpent is a handful to play in tune. Anyway, I have a couple more sound files for you: two renditions of Amazing Grace played with a piano accompaniment. Like I stated above, I have spent most of my time trying to figure out how to build serpents and I am just now getting a chance to play a few hours a week. I think I hit enough notes at pitch in these next two files that you can see that it is possible to play at standard pitch. The piano is a Roland Digital and I checked it with a tuner before I started recording. I think I have the keys listed correctly, please let me know if I don't.