couesnophone
The couesnophone, also known as the goofus or queenophone, is a free-reed musical instrument in a saxophone shape, patented by French instrument manufacturer Couesnon in 1924. Its reeds vibrate when the desired keys are activated and the player blows through a tube. It has been described as a type of mouth-blown accordion, with a sound somewhere between that of a harmonica and an accordion. • Illustration — Couesnophone by French manufacturer Couesnon
Also recorded as queenophone · goofus
couesnophone
Das Patent wurde dem Musikinstrumentenbauer Couesnon erteilt, von dem die Zeichnung dann auch wohl stammt. · Bildquelle: Die elektronische Form der Abbildung stammt aus http: Der Autor der Site heißt Pat Missin. Ich gehe davon aus, dass an dem jpg-Foto selbst ma · Public domain
- Field
- set of free reeds
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Documentary summary
The couesnophone, also known as the goofus or queenophone, is a free-reed musical instrument in a saxophone shape, patented by French instrument manufacturer Couesnon in 1924. Its reeds vibrate when the desired keys are activated and the player blows through a tube. It has been described as a type of mouth-blown accordion, with a sound somewhere between that of a harmonica and an accordion. • Illustration — Couesnophone by French manufacturer Couesnon
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wikidata · Q162992 · wikipedia · Couesnophone
In this article
Construction
Construction
• Illustration — Illustration from French manufacturer Couesnon's 1924 patent Couesnon was awarded patent no. 569294 for an instrument that was described as a saxophone jouet (toy saxophone). Unlike the saxophone, the couesnophone is a polyphonic instrument with a set of single reeds, one for each of the notes produced, similar to a melodica. The keys are set in a keyboard with a layout similar to that of the early Hohner melodicas, in parallel rows corresponding to the white and black keys of a piano. Its rubber mouthpiece allows the horn be held and played vertically like a saxophone, or horizontally like a flute or melodica.
Performers
Performers
The couesnophone was introduced into jazz and America by bass saxophonist and vibraphonist Adrian Rollini, though he is sometimes credited with its invention. The term "goofus" might have been coined by jazz musicians such as Rollini, or Ed Kirkeby, because it is easier to pronounce. Recordings with Rollini on goofus include The Little Ramblers' "Deep Elm"; The Goofus Five's "Everybody Love My Baby" and "Oh! How I Love My Darling"; the Varsity Eight's "How I Love That Girl", "Doo Wacka Doo", "Oh! Mabel", "Happy (Watchin' All the Clouds Roll By)", "Ain't My Baby Grand?", and "I Ain't Got Nobody to Love"; and Joe Venuti and the Eddie Lang Blue Five's "Raggin' the Scale". Don Redman played the goofus on "You'll Never Get to Heaven With Those Eyes", "A New Kind of Man (With a New Kind of Love for Me)", and "Cold Mammas (Burn Me Up)".
Diagram of couesnophone from French patent 569294 (issued 1924)
Couesnon patent · File:Couesnophone_(fcm).jpg
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Rosenkrantz, Timme (2012). Harlem Jazz Adventures: A European Baron's Memoir, 1934-1969, p.52. Scarecrow. .
- 2.Rollini, Arthur (1995). Thirty Years with the Big Bands, p.6. A&C Black. .
- 3.Missin, Pat. Melodica Family. patmissin.com.
- 4.Wood, Ean (1996). Born to Swing, p. 39. Sanctuary. .
- 5.Ed Kirkeby, Duncan P. Schiedt, Sinclair Traill (1975). Ain't Misbehaving: The Story Of Fats Waller, Da Capo. p.186. .
- 6.Govenar, Alan B. and Brakefield, Jay F. (2013). Deep Ellum: The Other Side of Dallas, p.262. Texas A&M University. .
- 7.Stockdale, Robert (2008). The Dorsey Brothers: That's It!, p.1-3 and 193. Lulu.com. .
- 8.Magee, Jeffrey (2005). The Uncrowned King of Swing: Fletcher Henderson and Big Band Jazz, p.61. Oxford University. .
Bibliography printed in the source article · 4
- Berindei, Mihai (1976). Jazz Dictionary, Scientific and Encyclopaedic Press, Bucharest, p. 110.
- Missin, P (2004). Couesnophone or "goofus"
- Rollini, Adrian (March, 1928). "The Goofus and How to Play It", Melody Maker.
- "liner notes of The Goofus Five 1926 to 1927 on Timeless Records", RedHotJazz.com.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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