The alphorn maker

Previous Next

Alphorns are made of spruce. The wood has a nice sound and is soft to work with. KEYSTONE

Here, Thomas Eichenberger shifts the so-called rifle to form the transition from the mouthpiece to the tube. Keystone

The instrument is carefully ground. Keystone

The glue is applied to join the sleeve to the next piece. Keystone

All the dust must be gone when the metal compound is glued. Keystone

Each alphorn player has different needs, so the mouthpiece drills come in various sizes. KEYSTONE

Mouthpieces are made from suitable hardwoods such as olive, mulberry, rose and ebony. KEYSTONE

A recess is cut into the tube by machine. KEYSTONE

The entire alphorn consists of two halves that are glued together. The inside of the tube is perfectly round. Keystone

The sound cup is made from a curved piece of fir. KEYSTONE

Metal rings fix the two halves of the horn until the glue has dried. KEYSTONE

The sound cup is ground down when it is stable. KEYSTONE

Thomas Eichenberger carefully checks for any unevenness. KEYSTONE

The sound cup is decorated with marquetry – inlaid decorative work made from small pieces of coloured wood or other materials – or artfully painted. (Thomas Eichenberger) Thomas Eichenberger

The entire alphorn consists of three to four individual parts, according to the wishes of the buyer. This makes it easier to transport. (Thomas Eichenberger) Thomas Eichenberger

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8
• Picture 9
• Picture 10
• Picture 11
• Picture 12
• Picture 13
• Picture 14
• Picture 15

Thomas Eichenberger started playing an alphorn in 1996. Its natural tones fascinated him; soon he dreamt of making one himself. In 2012, the trained cabinetmaker had the opportunity to learn the art from retired alphorn maker Walter Lussi.

The alphorn was for a long time a tool for shepherds, who used it to call for the cows to return from the pasture to the stable when it was time for milking. 

The Alphorn was first mentioned in writing in 1527. It was played for an evening prayer, a practice mainly seen in Protestant cantons, while in the Catholic cantons of central Switzerland it was accompanied by a song for prayer. Its main function, however, was for communication between people living up in the Alps and those farther down the valley.

In the 18th century, the alphorn almost fell into oblivion. Impoverished shepherds played in the cities and the instrument fell into disrepute, mocked as something only used by beggars. But the romance of the instrument and the tourists flocking to the Swiss Alps brought folklore and the alphorn back to the mainstream in the 19th century. 

Today, the alphorn – like cheese, chocolate and edelweiss – is a national symbol.

Photographer Gaëtan BallyExternal link has documented some of the 150 or so steps needed to build an alphorn in the workshop of Thomas Eichenberger. It takes about 60 hours to complete an instrument.