Dear Mark James & Peta Susan,
I see you got some partial answers on shells used as musical instruments. I
gave a talk on "Shells & Music" recently and will add
some more names:Strombus gigas, S.vomer iredalei, S. goliath, Syriinx aruanus,
Charonia nodifera, C.variegata, C. lampas, C. tritonis,
Pleuroploca gigantea, Turbinella pyrum, T. angulata, T. rapa, T. angulatum,
Burso bufo,, Cymatiums  (like ranzanii), Cassis tuberosa, some cowries, Tuns
(like Tonna maculosa), Busycon carica and sp. eliceans, and Achatinellas (see
Len Hills book, p.8).
Several notes can be produced on one shell by moving your fingers in and out of
the shell aperture, or by putting more holes in the shell and play like a
flute. (Not easy to get the holes in the right places.
The person referred to is Steve Turre. He has a well-known jazz band. Steve is
a trombonist. He has over 50 specimens of shell horns. He can play several
shell horns in one song by switching, like a Panpipe and flute player.
Glen Deuel
 
ferreter wrote:
 
> Sponsor was the Key West Chamber of Commerce or at least that's what the
> news lady said . last years winner played "Ode to Joy" This years was "Blue
> Danube"
> This brings up a new topic , what other shells are used in music and how? I
> once saw a hollowed gourd , covered in lengths of money cowries that was
> shook.
> Mark James & Peta Susan Bethke
> 3001 South Ocean Dr. Suite 4-V
> Hollywood, Florida
> 33019-2804
> U.S.A.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ross Mayhew <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Saturday, April 10, 1999 2:52 AM
> Subject: Conch-blowing contest at Key West
>
> >If anyone is still opening my messages, can someone tell me who
> >sponsored that neat conch-blowing contest at Key West this week??  The
> >winner was the one who could play their shell the best, and from the
> >sounds of it they could have formed their own orchestra - we're talking
> >Real Music here, o my people!!
> >Captivated in Canada,
> >Ross M.
> >--
> >Ross Mayhew:    Schooner Specimen Shells:
> Http://www.schnr-specimen-shells.com
> >"We Specialize in the Unusual"
> >Phone: (902) 876-2241     Snail Mail; P.O Box 20005, RPO Spryfield,
> >Halifax, N.S., Canada, B3R 2K9.
> >But try to find "something for Everyone"!!
> >