Liad Bar-EL

rowuk, I understand that you are the expert on the natural trumpet and I would like to get a lot more information on this subject.

My first question to you is why is the trumpet called Natural? Seems to me that the natural trumpet would be the horn from a Ram or some other animal.

Liad Bar-EL

trumpetmike

I believe the term natural trumpet just refers to those without valves - just the natural tubing.

And surely, if it were a horn from an animal, it would be natural horn, using logic similar to yours.

_TrumpeT_

It's because people who play those things are so talented hence the phrase you are a "natural!" Thus, only talented people (essentially people with great 'chops') can become natural trumpeters.

_TrumpeT_

But then what would you call the actual "natural horns"? Natural French horns?.... now that just sounds funny.

Liad Bar-EL

From a linguistic point of view, the word natural was originally Matura of which we all know that word as it applies to learning; so, it was matura learnings. As through time with the degradation of education and the need to increase one's earnings, the letter "L" was moved thus making the phase matural earnings……i.e. learning to make a living/income. Again, as time passed and people got more offended with having to be told what to do in their job as a means of education, they decided that their education for making a living should come automatically; thus, naturally and resulting in natural earnings. Now as more ways of earning came about, trumpets came on the scene for a way of making a living; thus, natural trumpet. However, it soon lost favor as a means of earnings so the people who played it became amatural trumpet players. So, you see we now have the derivatives of the words Natural and Amatur except the French soon came on the scene and spelled it their way….amateur. WHEW!!

Liad Bar-EL

The Meha Man

Hi,

Friend of mine builds these - check out his website at:

http://www.matthewparkertrumpets.com/

Neil

rowuk

In fact, there is worldwide discussion about what these valveless instruments should be called. I am not an expert by any means, I just have a great interest and have worked hard enough to make most of the people that give me work playing a good reason to invite me back .

The CLARIN or CLARINO is a trumpet with mouthpiece, cylindrical tube and bell without valves or holes (vents). The notes playable are a predictable row based on the NATURAL partials (not overtones) that can be set up in the tube depending on the length of the horn. This makes it a NATURAL trumpet. The same would apply to the horn, making it a NATURAL HORN.

There are modern reproductions of these instruments although most modern players prefer a VENTED version. These vents are placed to correct tones that do not represent our modern sense of intonation or that are non-existant and only available through extreme lipping up or down.

Drilling holes in the tube is very much the same as in woodwind instruments. It changes the virtual length of the tube and allows a secondary set of tones. This is no longer NATURAL but much easier to play when balancing modern and baroque repertoires. Bob Barclay (a true expert) recommends calling these modern instruments (invented in the 1960s) BAROQUE TRUMPETS. It is safe to say that Bob Barclay has not gotten his way in the international community, although the definitions make sense.

These instruments, with or without vents, have a much different tone structure than modern instruments. They change the way you think about a Mozart Requiem or Beethoven symphony. The proficiency required to play Bach, Molter, Richter is another story however. It becomes obvious that this trumpet has NOTHING to do with modern instruments. A complete new skill set is required.

Modern trumpets are more "horn like" in that they are except for the valve block and tuning slide, primarily conical in shape. Natural/baroque trumpets are primarily cylindrical in shape. They also have a completely different mouthpiece - Longer than a conventional trumpet mouthpiece, a very sharp rim and a very sharp transition from the cup to the throat. A long conical backbore helps to tune the upper and lower octave.

Practicing a Bb trumpet with all the valves pushed down is quite different experience than playing on one of these "historical" instruments.

Does this help?

Liad Bar-EL

Thank you very much for your explanation, Rowuk.

What music in particular is good for Natural trumpets and by whom?

Any solo pieces?

Liad

rowuk

when you are starting, the most beautiful music is sustained tones (no cracked notes)! :-O

There are books with 3 part fanfares in them (Edition Alta Musica bei Marc Meissner-available in Europe at www.spaeth-schmid.de for instance) or the complete Bach and Handel works in various editions. Ed Tarr has a lot available too.

Like with a modern trumpet, just take it easy - long tones, scales, intervals, pitch bending exercises help most. Don't take any jobs for it during the first 6 months.............

_TrumpeT_

All of the above explanation has made perfect sense and has been very helpful. Thank you.