The Fingering Forum
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Author: Guillaume
Date: 2000-04-08 18:26
Hi! I am thinking of playing a new instrument. My first idea was trumpet, but a friend told me about cornet. What are the differences between these two instruments (sound, playing difficulty, etc.)? Is it easy to play music for tumpet with a cornet? Thank you!
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-04-09 22:28
Trumpet and Cornet are almost the same instrument. They are both pitched in the same key, so any music can be played on either instrument. The fingering is exactly the same.
There are small differences in the shape of the trumpet and cornet which make them produce a different tone. The trumpet is a sharp piercing tone, which is usually very loud. It is often called a martial sound, as it is used for military fanfares etc. The cornet is a warmer more rounded sound. I think it is not as loud. I think that it is a bit easier to play the cornet, but that if you learn the trumpet, you should have no problem playing either instrument.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-04-15 03:53
The cornet is more popular for brass bands while the trumpet is the instrument of choice for orchestras. School bands used to favor the cornets but are now going more and more for trumpets.
I disagree that the trumpet is louder and harsher. It depends on the player. It is easier perhaps to get more brilliance and volume on the trumpet and perhaps easier to get a more mellow sound on the cornet. However I have heard some professional trumpeters that could produce the softest mellow sound you have ever heard.
While being in the same key and able to play the same music, the trumpet and cornet derive from different instruments. I don't remember the details but any good book on the history of musical instruments should have the differences spelled out.
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