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GUEST,We Subvert Koalas England's National Musical-Instrument? (1943* d) RE: England's National Musical-Instrument? 29 Sep 08


Northumbrian Bagpipes (bellows blown) - Developed from German / French prototypes

Leicestershire Bagpipes (mouth blown) - Modern invention by Julian Goodacre based on ancient iconography.

English Concertina, Anglo Concertina, Duet Concertina - Victorian inventions based on ancient Chinese free reed technology

(and important developments to – if not inventions of – other key-boards, such as piano and organ, have also occurred in England) - likewise pop music, Indian & Chinese cuisine, etc. etc

Dital Harp/Harp-Lute - short-lived Victorian parlour novelty for short-lived Victorian parlour ladies.

English Cittern - Barbershop novelty, long since defunct as far as it ever existed at all; used as a name for modern mandola and bouzouki type instruments from 1960s onwards.

English Flageolet - European invention developed with respect to parlour / chamber musics. Most defuinately not precursor of penny whistle, no matter what it says on WIKI - a misconception owing to Generation calling their modern 6-hole whistle-flutes flageolets.

Penny Whistle - Internationally & historically ubiquitous 6-hole whistle-flute made with tin by Clarke in the mid 19th century & later developed by Dave Shaw in the late 20th. About as English as the penis.

Recorder/English Flute - see discussion above, Jack Campin et al.

Pipe and Tabor (old Morris accompaniment) - derived from medieval European traditions extant in French (Basque) traditions, Mexico etc. Also associated, iconographically, in England with dancing bears.

the Stylophone (a recent one) - commercial toy, circa 1960s, kitsch value, revived in early 21st century.

Brass - international instruments developed from ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Oriental, Australasian & European instruments; also Medieval slide technology (surviving in trombone) replaced with piston & rotary valves invented in Europe early 1800s.

Bells (to some, England's national instrument) - But nevertheless found throughout the world with the most ancient examples being in the far east.

as well as Spoons - a variety of clapper percussion, likewise bones etc. - likewise internationally ubiquitous.

So - nothing here to support WAV's nationalist & monocultural ideals. On the contrary, all would indicate aeons of cross-cultural pollinations consequent on continuous historical immigrations & emigrations. Manifestations of a world in transience and long may it continue to be so! In fact, given the above, I'd be hard pushed to think of an instrument that wasn't OF (OR CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH) ENGLAND.


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