Trumpet guy

What is really different between the 2 types? From what I understand so far from browsing this forum and others, the only differences are the range and tone quality. Are there any technical or mechanical differences in playing the 2 different types? And on a similar subject, what about all the other types of trumpets (i.e. D, Eb, Piccolo)?

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Daniel Lan
"In you're not improving, you're falling behind." - My Trumpet Teacher, Steve

Horns
Bach Strad 37 - Megatone 3C/3B
Bach TR300 (marching)
Berkeley Cornet
Berkeley Picc. Trumpet - Vincent Bach Corp. Mt.Vernon N.Y 10 1/2 DW
Jupiter Soprano Trombone - Megatone 3C/3B
Olds Ambassador Fullerton Trombone - Olds 12C

Patric_Bernard

Well C Trumpets play in the Key of C and Bb Trumpets play in the key of Bb. I'm sure there are different tonal qualities, which I'm also sure Rowuk will be all over in a few minutes haha.

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JustinSmith

This is a good resource. This is from Alex Yate's sight. She used to be a frequent poster on the TM. It is an excerpt from a book "A Complete Guide to Brass" by Scott Whitener: (pub. 1990) .

TrumpetGuide

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Justin J. Smith

When people believe in boundaries, they become part of them.......Don Cherry

rowuk

Trumpet guy,
the difference is a couple of inches.
The C trumpet is physically shorter. In most cases the bell is the same length and size as a Bb trumpet so the leadpipe and tuning slide are shortened. That changes the ratio of cylindrical to conical tubung and that changes the sound. In principle, a C trumpet is a member of the horn family as except for the tuning slide, it is conical.
The same could apply to the D and Eb trumpet, although here we find more than just a sawed off Bb concept. There are designs proportioned just like a Bb.
A picc is a completely different animal. The bore size and bell are smaller, the tuning slide IS the leadpipe and it is also more of a horn than a trumpet!

I think many players make more of a big deal between the Bb and C than there is. Some say that the security on a C is greater, but England, Germany and Austria among others play primarily Bb and do not miss more notes than the American colleagues. There is another thread here about the difference in sound. I describe the Bb as brassy, auburn and the C as liquid, creamy. If you get a chance to spend some time with a C you will see what I mean!
Some orchestral compositions are easier to finger on the higher trumpets. That means less practice time.......

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

misty.sj

Thanks for that link, Justin. It was really informative as I have had similar questions about the trumpet 'types'. I think I finally had an "A-ha" moment about moving the high notes to a more middle-range grouping of partials, for note accuracy.

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--Misty
Hit it hard, and wish it well. -- Claude Gordon

1925(?) Conn Cavalier Bb (s/n 14142)
2007 Barrington Bb student trumpet

tatakata

i wonder how scott would feel if he new his book was copied and pasted on a website like that.

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misty.sj

It's fully cited...

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--Misty
Hit it hard, and wish it well. -- Claude Gordon

1925(?) Conn Cavalier Bb (s/n 14142)
2007 Barrington Bb student trumpet

Trumpet guy

Yea. I understand about the lengths and the pitch of the different keyed trumpets, but I've heard that playing a Bb and a C are 2 different disciplines. What is the grounds for this?

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Daniel Lan
"In you're not improving, you're falling behind." - My Trumpet Teacher, Steve

Horns
Bach Strad 37 - Megatone 3C/3B
Bach TR300 (marching)
Berkeley Cornet
Berkeley Picc. Trumpet - Vincent Bach Corp. Mt.Vernon N.Y 10 1/2 DW
Jupiter Soprano Trombone - Megatone 3C/3B
Olds Ambassador Fullerton Trombone - Olds 12C

tatakata

there are no grounds for what you have heard. you have been presented with enough info to figure this out. go to your local music shop and try a c trumpet

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drdoct

I was thinking about getting a C trumpet so I wouldnt have to transpose all the church music and be able to just play out of the hymnals. I played a few and realized that my ears wont allow me to play a C trumpet. Yeah, I'm sure I could eventually get used to that odd sound of a step up, but it sure was odd. I decided to work on my transposing and playing by ear instead. Still cant do either well, but that C experience made me give up the wanting for an easier way out. Same goes for a Piccolo trumpet... It doesnt give you a free octave. It's even worse than the C.