Alan Dismukes

I find my cornets to be more forgiving. My trumpet tends to expose my faults more. Whether I play cornet or trumpet usually depends on what kind of music I am playing.

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1974 Bach ML 37 Strad Trumpet
1928 Buescher Bb/A Cornet
1947 Conn 12A Coprion Cornet
1912 Holton New Proportion "Couturier Model"
Cornet

brunets

You are totally right: the high register is far easier on the trumpet. The cornet isn't designed for playing properly in high register.

And yes, I love my Getzen valves...

cobragamer

If it were me I would start on trumpet and switch to cornet later because they play very simililar. Plus trumpet can be played everywhere a cornet can exept in a british style brass band.

lmf

Hi, jsclerus,

When I was in high school in the mid 60's, I noticed trumpets were being used instead of cornets. Prior to that (in earlier grades), cornets seemed to be the instrument of choice for directors and students in bands. That has changed and trumpet is the instrument of choice.

Now that I'm older, I play my cornet more than trumpet. I truly enjoy the sound of cornet and rarely play trumpet. Others do the opposite. Some play trumpet and have little desire to play cornet. Some never have played cornet and have no desire to. It's a matter of choice. I believe if one plays in an "all" brass band, he/she is likely to play cornet. The playing of trumpet is for bands with various other "brass and non-brass" instruments.

If one consistently plays music in the high register, he/she may lean toward trumpet. When most trumpeters want a unique change of sound, they play flugels instead of cornets. However, the cornet has a unique lyrical sound and should stand on its own. Some trumpeters recognize that and are playing cornet from time to time.

A young person playing in a band that utilizes "only" trumpets will probably "move" in that direction.

Is it more difficult to play cornet than trumpet? I don't think so! However, the style of playing, projection issues, and force of blowing may be different. For shorter arms of the students, the cornet may have advantages, but the band itself determines the choice of cornet or trumpet. Thus, it may be a "mute" issue, no pun intended.

Best wishes,

Lloyd

mrmusicnotes

I think if you took a trumpet and cornet of equal quality,for instance a bach strad cornet and trumpet,the cornet would play the harder passages a bit easier.The conical bore of the cornet makes it a little easier in the upper register also.

oldlou

I am in that same boat. In MOST cases I prefer one of my cornets.



OLDLOU>>

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Couturier trumpet
York Master Model trumpet
York Elite trumpet
York Airflow cornet
King super 20 Master Model cornet
King Liberty trumpet
Reynolds Professional cornet
Bohm & Meinl professional trumpet
Besson 10-10 trumpet with Holton M.F. bell
Olds Special cornet Los Angeles
B&H Sovereign cornet
G.R.Band Instr. cornet
Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Getzen Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Many others no room to list

Toobz

Well I'm not an expert, but I do have 5 trumpets and 7 cornets to compare right now. For me, it's all about the individual horn. I have some that are easier to play than others, but it doesn't fall into one category or the other. The 2 easiest playing horns that I have are a Yamaha Trumpet, and a Bach Shepards crook cornet. So for me, it doesn't make a difference.

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Conn 10B New Era trumpet
Martin Committee cornet
And lots of other old and smelly stuff !

79connvictor

If you want another opinion... cornets are NOT noticably easier OR harder to play than trumpets... period. If I could have only one I would choose the trumpet; mostly because of this culture's preference of the trumpet. Cornets are mostly used now in large symphonies and for some solo work. Trumpets are respected in more situations. Cornets are really nice instruments and I'll always have an affection towards them. I play my trumpet probably 20 times more frequently than my cornet. My cornet rarely leaves the house, now that I think about it.

stradguy

i think it depends on what you are playing. To me it seems easier to play below and in the staff with a cornet but in and above the staff the trumpet owns

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Conn Vocabell 40A
1938 King Liberty
King Super 20
Weird really old Joseph Brunn Flugel Horn

Dale Proctor

It all depends on the horn. Some trumpets are easier to play than some cornets, and other cornets play easier than some trumpets. If you're learning, use whichever you have available at the time, as long as it's a quality instrument. A generalization, but most cornets are more flexible than trumpets, have a more mellow sound, and are a little harder to play high on. Some of that is due to the traditional cornet mouthpiece, of course. If you're interested more in classical music, go for the trumpet. A few earlier posts have said something about cornets being used in symphony orchestras, but that's actually not very common, except for pieces that call for cornet. The trumpet, in various keys, rules there. I'll also differ with the idea that brass band playing doesn't require the skill that orchestral playing does. Playing at the top levels of either requires an equal level of skills, and playing at lower levels of either will also find players of like skill. Listen to recordings of some of the top brass bands see what I mean.

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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away." - Sir Thomas Beecham

Olde Towne Brass
www.otbrass.com

Brass Band of Huntsville
www.brassbandofhuntsville.org