tom turner

Good for you!

The correct mouthpiece will indeed make a huge difference! I've got long bell cornets and shepherd's crook cornets, and much prefer the short bell models for producing that gentle, intimate sound with correct mouthpieces. For some reason the IS a difference in power and projection.

My mouthpiece of choice, except for jazz and commercial settings is my 1911 Boston mouthpiece that came with one of my Boston 3-Star cornets. I use it in my 2002 Flip Oakes "Wild Thing" short-model cornet and in my Boston cornets.

Both these horns can speak easily and clearly at the softest of volume levels, although the modern horn can produce a little more power when called upon.

Here's the mouthpiece. It has a very deeeeep, virtually straight "V-type" funnel, with a huge throat I haven't measured, followed by a fast-flare, very open backbore. The rim also looks like a French horn rim almost . . . very typical of the "cookie cutter" rims of 100 years ago.

Flexibility is increidble on this "piece," and endurance is also no problem . . . as long as one avoids using pressure, for the rim provides a great air seal with the chops without having to use as much pressure.



For jazz gigs, I ALWAYS carry the cornet, along with the "manditory" trumpet and fluglehorn. The cornet has a totally different tonal palette. For some reason, folks seem to get quieter, and listen more, when I pick up the cornet. The sound it gets . . . is to die for! For Jazz, I switch to a Warburton "BC" cornet, deep-V type mouthpiece in my favorite size, plus their #10 short shank backbore.

You'll really love the sound of a cornet . . . and what it will do for your tonal options!

It is great in orchestral situations . . . and also great for the church musician who needs to remain below a typical amateur church choir! Again, the right mouthpiece is so important . . .

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

PS: You mentioned you wondered about how it could be preferred at low volume levels vs. a trumpet or flugel . . .

I played an Easter gig a couple of years ago in a church with a "weaker" choir. The three trumpets could NOT get their sound soft enough. The guys even hung towels on the stands. Alas, still not enough. I pulled out my Wild Thing cornet and brought a couple of really fine Boston 3-Stars for the other two guys. Suddenly, the sound was quite manageable at extremely low volume levels, with a more human, more gentle tone that blened better with the voices and didn't drown them out!

I highly recommend that all trumpet players who are called upon to sometimes back an amateur choir to get a short cornet and a deep V mouthpiece. It can make an incredible difference . . . both in volume, blend . . . AND the ability to play at extremely soft levels without compromising response, precision or control.