The most famous user of the Mellophonium was Stan Kenton. He used them extensively in the late 50s and early 60s. And yes, they were the butt of many jokes from the rest of the brass section due to their intonation issues.

I am an amateur trumpet player living in Canada. I’ve only recently started playing the euphonium. I stumbled across your KZfaq channel quite by accident and l must say that l thoroughly enjoy your videos. You have a very likeable way about you as well as a clever sense of humour. To say nothing of how informative you are. Keep up the good work. Incidentally l am almost seventy years old. Never too old to learn, eh?

The tuning problems do come from the bell, as you'd suspect. They really need a hand rummaging up the bell to fix the tuning problems. Oh wait, that's just a horn with half length tubing.

that Circular Breathing though

you should do a review of a cimbasso, if you can get one

I have the oldest mellophonium in existence. I helped date the horns. I have the 3rd one made. Approximately made in March, 1956. Conn introduced them for sale in 1957. I have the original case as well. I love my horn. It takes a lot of omiture and practice to where you can play it in tune. :-)

"Hornucopia" in San Carlos, California, where I bought my Getzen 700s, has at least two of those things. There's a hilarious account online - maybe on the Conn Loyalist site? - where a band member recalls one day with Stan Kenton's band, taking the mellophoniums and putting trumpet mouthpieces in, enabling them to make the most ungodly shrieks, and then one fine day dumping them into the hotel pool, where they sank, blub, blub, blub. They were made to fish them out, of course.

I played one of these horns in a Kentucky HS marching band from 1963 to 1966. Pretty easy to play but you sure couldn't see where you were going.

It would be nice to hear you play the instrument again after having discussed it in each video.

“They have inherent tuning problems” Probably the nicest thing ever said about this instrument. Made me sort of tear up a little bit. 🤣🤣🤣

I play the alto saxophone in a band with three trumpets and one trombone and now I know why our band leader wanted to have an alto sax in the band, to fill in the "alto gap" love your videos, always learning something new :)

My BDs: mellophones, try to sound more like french horns on that part Me: invest in some of these buddy

4:35 was HILARIOUS I WAS LAUGHING SO HARD WHEN HE SAID IT! I love your exaggerations Trent!

My middle School used to have these. they are crazy...

According to what I have read, the mellophonium was built by the C. G. Conn corporation at the behest of Stan Kenton. He had tried using french horn players with his band, but the horn players of his day were unable to understand jazz phrasing, and phrase with the other sections of the band. The thought was that mellophoniums (mellophonia?) could be played by trumpet players who understood jazz phrasing. The mellophonium that I own (a wall decoration above my Kenton recordings) uses a trumpet mouthpiece. It also has an adapter to accept a french horn mouthpiece. Mellophoniums were marketed as marching band instruments, and enjoyed a brief vogue. They were eventually replaced by the marching mellophone seen on the wall. The original mellophone dates back to the 1920's or so, and looks like the mellophonium, but with the bell turned downward in a french horn shape. Some trumpet players in dance bands of that time doubled on mellophone.

You forgot to mention the ultimate feature of the Conn Mellophonium: its massive honking .500" bore. Zig Stardust's rubbish abomination has nothing on that. I just snagged one of these on ebay for an embarrassingly low price, so I'm super excited to see how this differs from other alto thingers. Seems like a safe bet that "absurdly loud" makes the list of attributes. *edit* Cool, but underwhelming instrument, given its reputation. One of the best looking instruments ever invented. Huge dynamic contrast. Good but not earth shattering tone. Intonation isn't as bad as reputed, but you need to be able to blow to pitch. Pitch bends so well, you can play an entire song in the wrong key without anyone knowing that you're clamming. Ergonomics suck. Debatable how usable the high range is, but it's definitely there and not hard to get to. Opting out of using the stock Conn 1 mouthpiece could make a Mount Rushmore of bad ideas.

Old French Horn player here - I just acquired one of these, a 1970 edition. When it gets here, it'll be interesting to contrast it with my 1911 Conn concert mello.

This is the instrument that i was asking about yesterday. Another brass guy filled me in and then i wanted to hear more and led me back to you! You are really knowledgeable....i used to play french horn but when i first started we all learned on trumpets and cornets. I loved it. Hated lugging the case around. But weird instruments are so interesting. Its like a family tree with your wackadoodly cousin.

To have Trent Hamilton's "weirdest instrument" he's ever played in my high school band is an honor

Love the video, all your content is done very well. As a Tuba player myself I have become addicted to watching your videos recently.

It reminds me of the trumpet or flugelhorn (what ever it was) from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film)

The Alto trombone seems to be the instrument for that alto range, the intonation problems are gone since you can manipulate the slide positions to make perfectly tuned high and low notes.

That is the most kick-ass French Horn I have ever seen. Awesome.

When I studied band pageantry in the USA in 1966 I was required to compose arrangements for marching band. The instructor told the class to not write parts for marching French horns, but to use mellophones instead. When I wrote for alto trumpet in F, instead of mellophone, he loved it. I think it was the only time I saw him happy. I had never seen nor ever heard of alto trumpet in F, but took a chance.

I stayed up late just in case you posted a video, and so you did. Thanks! (Btw it's one in the morning where I am)

Would like to see you make an acapella out your entire collection

Kilometers? Ha! I only use freedom units!

I got to play one of these at a local honor band and it was definitely an experience

Mr. Hamilton, I've watched several videos on mellophones and mellophoniums. One fellow said that it was necessary to "blow to pitch". You did a splendid video in which you discussed the art and science of tuning brass instruments, with very helpful graphics showing where instruments "fell" on the stave for various notes. Perhaps you could do a video in which you compared various instruments regarding their tunability and any challenges for playing in pitch, with the "best" instrument regarding tunability compared to the "worst" instrument (perhaps the mellophone).

Completely ridiculous looking instrument, but that doesn't stop it looking intriguing and (to my eyes) quite adorable. I've never played a mellophone or mellophonium but I love working in that sort of region on my tenor horn. Giving this baby a spin would be a fun experience while the novelty lasts. This is why I love our sector so much; people aren't afraid to try constructing new things, to leap into the twilight zone. I just don't see that level in the string section for instance, at least superficially to the observer. Violins always look like violins.

Those using it in the Stan Kenton orchestra support the instrument with their left hand cupping it at the bottom of the large coil. Not at the bottom center, but a little bit toward the bell.

Nice review! Keep them coming...

Featured on a large number of Kenton albums from the 60's. Check out their Christmas album, treatments of Wagner and Bernstein (West Side Story), and a collection of ballad albums that are great for intimate evenings. I have a one of these that had some funky surface treatment but still plays OK. I wish I had some of the Kenton charts with mellophonium parts; most available sheet music subs in flugelhorns or trombones.

Hey Trent, do you think you might ever make a video on you opinions regarding Drum Corps International? I think lots of people would love to hear what you think.

it looks like if a trumpet and a French horn had a baby

We used those in HS...we had a section of 10....I played it for 4 years....we used a French horn mouthpiece adapter....I played solos that would be heard by foxes....everyone was still using this in the 80’s...Kenton band loved them

I had the pleasure of playing a mellophonium (which I named Eugene) in my university's pep band my first semester. I frankly prefer the tone of the mellophonium to the marching mellophone; however, the tuning really was a problem. Holding the instrument was also rather difficult, as there really is no obvious place to put the left hand. I switched to a mellophone after that semester because my university bought more.

Thanks for an interesting video about this unusual instrument. It is listed in my 1965 Conn price list (complete outfit, including case) as 16E "Special" for US $310 to $330, depending upon the type of finish. The counterweight on the instrument makes me laugh--it's as if someone asked "Hey, what do we do about a counterweight? We need to design one" and the answer was "No, we'll just steal one from a trombone!"

My rival high school had a few of these and my French horn playing pal was really jealous because he had to to play a concert French horn while marching. Neat instrument. Conn makes really good horns. Would love to learn one day, love the sound of mellophone so much.

So, the mellophonium is actually its own instrument. In his arrangement of Malaguena, before starting Stan Kenton directs our attention to the mellophonium section. I had always thought that he was just using a Latinization of mellophone. However, looking at the video, the instruments look more like what you've reviewed today that the typical mellophones I'm used to seeing.

Thank you for this video. My junior year in high school my band director decided to have me switch from trumpet to what he called a mellophone in marching band. After seeing this now I know it was a mellophnium not a mellophone that I played.

Awesome review. thanks for using the proper mouthpiece, too. I have had two in my possession and, currently, still have and use a silver version. They are definitely fun and I've managed to play it pretty well in tune in an ensemble.

A mellophonium played beautifully can be heard in the KZfaq video titled -- Oblivion, French Horn ensemble with Mellophonium solo

You should get one of the double-belled euphoniums

Been awhile since you've done a good "Alto" video. Would love to see a shoot out.....say Alto Trombone vs Mellophone vs Mellophonium vs Frumpet vs Alto (tenor) horn vs Eb Bass Trumpet

Looks very elegant with that round shape!

Well, Trent, I'm sure you are right. But I can tell you when a 200 piece marching band unleashes all of these weird devices in a football stadium in the U.S. that holds from 50 to 100,000 people, it is pretty awesome. That's who these horns are made for - college marching bands.

I've got one of those too - love it ... odd yes... but I love it

Excelent, as usual! I'd like you to talk about PICCOLO FRENCH HORN and POST HORN (the little one similar with valves, of course). Thanks (from Argentina)

Thank you amazing video

Do you know the 16E was designed for and used by the Stan Kenton Orchestra? Kenton used as many as four of them on some arrangements of his library. I worked for Conn between 1971-1976. Kenton was using the horns prior to the time I was there. Frank Taylor

I like it has a more bolder tone compared to the mellophone which to me sounds lighter and more direct but I write for both and saxes and the mellophonuim and mellophone alto sax combo sounds amazing

You need to hear a dci mello section....they are amazing

Reason I watch this channel weird and unusual instruments lol I was a flute play when I was at school I played in a concert band had a tuba trombones trumpets baritones and a French horn ( a non music teacher played it with us ) along with woodwind flute clarinet and sax

I’ve seen that on your wall for so many years and have always wondered what it was. I’m so glad this finally showed up on my feed! It’s like someone stretched out a French horn. Your description sounds like how wind players joke about piccolos. How do you get two piccolos to play in tune? Shoot one of them.

Stan Kenton made an album using that very same version of Mellophoniums. Got a buddy here in Spokane, Washington who played it on that album.

I have one made in 1972. The first time I used a tuner on it the lower C was in F and the higher C was in F# and still about 20 cents sharp. mine didn't come with the mouthpiece or extra crook, I've ended up 3D printing a custom mouthpiece based on a Shilke 28 and the bigger shank, then stretched it to 94mm and now it's at least in F. did you notice it's a .500 bore?

Trent, Love your show and your Sahara-like humor! One question, with only one additional piece of tubing, how do you get that to work to change the key on the mellophonium, off the main tuning slide? I had an alto horn, many years ago, that had three tuning crooks (one for 'C', one for 'D' and one for 'Eb') that were inserted between the mouthpiece and the lead pipe. You can imagine the tuning horror that was... John, USA

Is this the instrument they used in the Stan Kenton Band?

For some reason I now want a mellophonium. I mean, it's looks like it's about 3ft long, and it has an even bigger bell than a normal mellophone, and it's in F. What's not to love?

My high school actually has one of these!

Hi Trent ,you know where i can buy nuzzle for mellaphonium? Thank you

At my grandmother's house I've been playing my grandfather's uncle's trumpet,trombone,alto horn,and cornet

Do u know where I can buy a conn 16e mellophonium and also can it be used for marching band

Trent Hamilton I actually got one a couple of weeks ago though it was lacquered ((and it looked ugly cosmetic-wise but plays well.)) However I need to get the Conn 1 mouthpiece meant for this as I have a Bach 3 mellophone mouthpiece. Any ideas where I can get one?

gotta say this one is in fantastic condition

have the same one!

I only play stringed instruments and im not sure how I even found your channel.

There is a reason why natural trumpet and french horn tubing is twice as long as it needs to be in order to resonate tones, placing the fundamental up an octave in comparison to the modern trumpet, alto horns, tenor brass instruments, and tuba which are only 1x the length. Intonation anomalies magnify from trumpet to alto horn, increase again from alto to the baritone, and increase even further going from baritone to tuba, to the point where on Bb tubas the 2nd octave C played with the 1st valve can be closer to a B than a C.

I have one of those mouthpieces! It fits a cornet, oddly enough, and thats how i ended up getting it but its gigantic so its just kind of... there... lol

What size mouthpiece shank does this horn take? French Horn, Trumpet or Cornet ?? Thanks & Cheers

The Olds, etc. mellophone is the replacement of the mellophonium, thank goodness.

Aye finally!

I have one of these and love playing it. I think the intonation problems with this horn are frequently overstated. If your serious about playing this, you need to get the mouthpiece designed by Tony Scodwell specifically for this horn. Tony played in the Kenton mellophone section. It is a tremendous improvement over the stock or any other mello mp. It ain't cheap but it is THE mouthpiece for this horn. Here is the link: legendsbrass.com/mellophonium-cornet/

Is there anyway you could tell what the mouthpiece says because I have a horn but no mouthpiece and I have no way to search for one?

I quite like the sound

You should've mentioned the Stan Kenton Orchestra in this video. :)

What is the name of the outro song please?

What about fingering? Maybe mine is messed up somehow but it doesn’t sound right with French horn or trumpet fingering.

Hey Trent,do you have a degree in music and alot of performance experience? Not to to sound negative,sorry if I do,but,you know alot and explain stuff quite well.I'be learned alot and I have been playing since I was a kid,57 now.Great job,sir!

Fanfare trumpets often have bells far away too... ever review one of those? They look quite interesting...

I have a double belled trumpet with a trigger that can have it also play in another key. It also has an attachable soprano bell. Many of them seem to have been made, but I thought I would let you know if you would like to review it and haven't had the chance yet.

Speaking of unusual, how about a Kuhlohorn?

Hey Trent. Have you ever tried an Antoinephone? (Or something like that I don't remember the spelling)

My band director has one of these things in his office.

I know Stan Kenton and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis liked them and those recordings sound great but it makes it tough to play those arrangements!

I have seen old mellophones and flugelhorns recurved like French horns. Why would they have changed that?

Are Mellophoniums still sell?

So many comments! I think horn players should stick to horn. King H2 mouthpiece will make intonation much easier on mellophones. Horn players will always struggle with intonation when playing the alto horn or mellophone. In my band we had 2 Conn s and the sounded and looked fantastic!

Nice Moiré shirt you've got there :-)

pretty cool.....i love all instruments!! this would be right up my alley!! I wish you could explain all the ones that are behind you also... (some i know, others i don't)

Would you reccomend conn instruments for music instruments?

What’s the song at the beginning again?

What was that song he opened with?

You should get a piccolo french horn

Has anyone heard of Hendon band. They are coming to birmingham

I have one and need a mouthpiece. Can't find one.

Do you have any experience with instruments from Wessex?

I used to have one but it sounded like played by a noob. That one looks so much like mine with that dent though he never mentions finding my name i scratched near the middle

I've played a mellophonium and the lead pipe takes a French horn mouthpiece. I'm not denying that conn may have designed a mouthpiece specifically for this instrument I'm just saying that a French horn mouthpiece does work.