This blog is dedicated to the sublime instruments called nose flutes and which produce the most divine sound ever. We have chosen to discard all the native models from S. Pacific and Asia, for they need fingering to be played. We'll concentrate on "buccal cavity driven" nose flutes : the well patented and trademarked metal or plastic ones, plus, by a condemnable indulgence, some wooden craft or home-made productions.

Jan 18, 2013

The Ocariflûte / Oclariflûte - Again

I found another french jokes-gadgets-gizmos-novelties catalogue. It was published by the Société Le Record du Rire (The Laughter Record Company), Paris. This publication dates of 1929, that is just one year before the catalogue of the Société de la Gaîté française. It offers the same kind of funny and magical items, and also some small musical instruments.



I was very glad to find, page 137, another advertisement for the Ocariflûte, with another drawing. The brand name is not mentionned but the instrument is very recognizable, with its square heel. Here, the nose flute is called La Flûte nasale magique (The Magic Nasal Flute) and is supposedly "patented in every country"...

The text says:


(patented in every country)
THE MAGIC NASAL FLUTE
anyone can play it
with no musical knowledge

The Magic Nasal Flute is an instrument really new, totally different from the others. It is entirely made of metal and weighs only a few grams. Thus, one can always have it in the pocket. Once placed as specified in the user manual provided with each instrument, only a few minutes are necessary to learn to play it. Any tone is obtained. No fingering. No need to hold the instrument.
It is capable to produce delightful modulations and any popular or classical melodies (opera, ditties, etc.)
Any animal scream imitation, and particularly birds ones (nightingale and canary) are perfectly reproduced very conveniently.
As a result of a special agreement with the manufacturer of this marvelous instrument, we provide it complete with a detailed user manual at ultra-reduced price of 3.50 Francs.
Anyone can take benefit of this precious, useful, agreeable device as well at home as in society.

Publié par à l'adresse
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9 comments:

  1. Maikel MeiJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:19 PM

    "An agreeable device in society", "patented in every country": they sure knew how to sell it!

    Besides your instrument collection, I reckon your archive of magazines, catalogues and articles is also accumulating nicely..!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UkeHeidiJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    Besides the mysterious patent, it seems there was so many advertisement for this instrument that I can't understand how I have been able to miss it for so long...

    Yep, when I can find the original, and if it is at a reasonable price, I try to collect the magazines/books/catalogs too. I can make better scans, and it generally has the date printed somewhere...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maikel MeiJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:19 PM

    Somehow I have a feeling that an original Oclariflute will appear shortly.

    If I find anything whatsoever related to the nose flute, you will be the first one to know!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UkeHeidiJanuary 19, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Thank you Maikel! I found that (but I need to verify) the "inventor" of the Ocariflute was also the "inventor" of the first french musical saw! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maikel MeiJanuary 19, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    This again proves to me that those who deal with the nose flute have multiple interests and talents!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SilvercatMarch 30, 2021 at 10:36 PM

    "Any animal scream imitation, and particularly birds ones (nightingale and canary) are perfectly reproduced very conveniently."

    Quite funny if they actually mean scream, but I'm guessing from my very vague ability to read French* that it's actually 'cry' or noise.

    * never studied French, but did study Spanish and Esperanto

    I'm now tempted to see how many animal noises I can make on my bocarina. I'd probably be more successful than my attempts at a song (considering I have no musical training and practically no musical talent)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UkeHeidiApril 3, 2021 at 8:50 AM

      Yes, I'm sorry not to be good at English...

      Delete
    2. SilvercatApril 13, 2021 at 10:32 PM

      Your English is better than me in any of the languages I've studied.

      Delete
    3. UkeHeidiApril 14, 2021 at 7:02 AM

      Thanks for your clemecy! I'm fluent in Globish-Pidgin, but certainly not in English... So, let's carry on speaking Creole, no alternative ! :)

      Delete

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