Warren

I just bought myself my first cornet! A B&S model 2141. Have no idea how old it is or any information on it (emailed Bill Gisbson from JA Musik with the serial number to help me out).

Seems everyone is just talking about B&S. I now have a B&S trumpet and cornet. Both are screaming out for the tech to doctor them a bit, but all in good time.

I am however having a bit of difficulty with the cornet. I know it will take time to get used to the horn and so on, but I keep wanting to make it sound like a trumpet and get frustrated with myself when the sound isn't as bright as when I play the trumpet.

Are there any wise words to help me on my journey to playing the cornet? I find that it's not as open as my trumpet, a bit more resistancein the upper register. This normal?

lmf

Hi, Warren.

The cornet usually sounds different than the trumpet. The cornet is probably going to sound more mellow and not as bright, brassy and loud as trumpet. It may sound more subdued, yet melodic. That is fine. A trumpet has the capacity to "scream" when you need it to, but the cornet isn't going to sound as loud. Learn to play the cornet for its own sake and don't expect it to sound like a trumpet.

Why do people who play flugelhorns expect the sound to be different than their trumpets? It's a different sound they are looking for. Cornet needs to be understood in the same way. The trumpet has its own tonal qualities while the cornet does, too. You have to appreciate all three instruments and understand what they bring to musical expression.

If you have the expectation that trumpet and cornet must sound the same, you may be disappointed. If you allow for the differences, you will appreciate both instruments all the more.

Don't push the cornet like you do the trumpet and the tone may please you more than you realize. The cornet appears more "soft and gentle" with a melodic/lyrical quality different than the trumpet. I believe that is why the cornet part is written in some scores to give contast different to that of trumpet the composer felt was needed.

Best wishes,

Lloyd

Warren

Thanks for your help. I know that the cornet shouldn't sound like the trumpet, but still I try play it like it is one. Which makes me sound horrible. Is is normal to struggle a bit in the upper register at first on the cornet? Or is that maybe because of my particular differences between my trumpet and cornet?

lmf

Hi, Warren,

Not everyone can play the higher register with a cornet. It may be due to skill level, mouthpiece selection and the cornet itself.

Maybe you should focus your cornet playing on pieces of music that don't require the high register in the same manner is which you play your trumpet. The higher range may eventually come, but it may not be as easy as with the trumpet.

Best wishes,


Lloyd

tatakata

In time I think you might find the cornet easier to play than the trumpet. Enjoy it!

brunets

I also have an old Olds Ambassador cornet which I really like... The upper register isn't the best on it either but the sound is just gorgeous in the mid/low range. The cornet is easier to play than a trumpet and that is part of the enjoyement of playing it

Have fun with your new horn!

Stéphane

Richard Oliver

Plop a Wick 4 or 4b in it and have at it :)

Congrats on the new horn!

Warren

So from what I've gathered it's normal for a cornet to be a bit tougher to play than the trumpet in the upper register.

Is there any difference in sound or ease of playing between a Shepherd's crook cornet and a normal cornet?

lmf

Hi, Warren,

I play a long-stem cornet and a shepherd's crook cornet. Both are easy to blow, but the shepherd's crook seems more mellow. The long-stem cornet sounds more brassy like a trumpet, yet it doesn't sound exactly like a trumpet.

I believe the difference between shepherd's crook cornets and those without have more to do with the different tone, than playability. However, some players say that is not true. It must be a subjective thing.

Unless you have opportunity to test a shepherd's crook cornet for yourself and decide that it would be best for you, don't feel you have to buy one to get better on the cornet.

Best wishes,

Lloyd

rowuk

Warren,
try and think of it this way: a trumpet sound is an ice cold coke when you are really thirsty in the summer. The cornet sound is a Latte Macchiato on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.

The trumpet sound is there to add definition to whatever ensemble it is used in. The cornet sound is intimate, retrospective.

The sooner that you back off, the sooner the cornet will turn into your affair with a voluptuous and sexy creation.