Serinette

A serinette is a primitive mechanical musical instrument comparable to a Orgue intended to learn from the short melodies to whistling birds. It is at the origin of the verb " seriner" (to repeat many times).

Short history

Built starting from first half of the 12th century, the serinettes were used to learn, by repetition, of the melodies to the birds of company of the high society. By hear these melodies, these birds ended up reproducing them. The serinettes were sometimes used as instrument of street, after modification of an instrument of living room.

Composition

These instruments are relatively simple. They are made up of a wood cylinder comprising of the metal trigger guards. Those order the opening of small valves which admit air in tubes of organ (generally in tin) granted to the notes of the instrument. The air is brewed by two bellows in skin themselves actuated by a crank. It is also this crank which makes turn the cylinder with the melody by means of an endless screw.

The piece “recorded” on the cylinder hard from 10 to 20 seconds, depending much on the person who plays of the instrument. Certain a little advanced models have a system making it possible to shift the cylinder: another melody is thus played, but with the detriment of the number of keys…

See too

The serinettes are present in several tables of which Serinette , by Jean Siméon Chardin in 1751 (Louvre, Paris).

Serinette de Mirecourt
Serinette on MusicaMecanica

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