The Helicon

Ken demonstrates the Helicon tuba, and tells us about its history and use in military bands and brass bands in various parts of the world. It is very popular in central and eastern Europe. Developed in 1845 in Vienna, Austria, it has a circular spiral form (a helix, hence helicon) which the player wears round their body and resting on the left shoulder. The Helicon is the forerunner to the Sousaphone, developed under instruction from American military band leader John Philip Sousa. Its role in a band or orchestra, like all tubas, is usually to play the bass (low) part, providing a foundation for the harmonies and melodies above it.