fiscorn

The fiscorn is a brass musical instrument that belongs to the saxophone family, despite its name. It was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax around 1844, the same year he patented the saxophone. The fiscorn is essentially a valved saxophone, designed to produce a sound similar to a cornet or flugelhorn but with the fingering system of a saxophone. It typically has three piston valves.

This instrument was intended to fill a gap in the brass band and military band repertoire, offering a more mellow and round tone than the trumpet or cornet. Its conical bore and single-reed mouthpiece contribute to its characteristic sound. The fiscorn was often pitched in the key of E♭ or B♭, similar to other saxophones.

Despite its innovative design, the fiscorn never achieved widespread popularity. It was largely overshadowed by the saxophone itself and the existing valved brass instruments. While it had a brief period of use in certain ensembles, particularly in France and Belgium, it gradually fell out of common production and performance. Today, it is considered an uncommon instrument, often found in historical collections or played by enthusiasts of obscure musical instruments. Its rarity makes it a subject of interest for instrument historians and collectors.