Cornet facts for kids
A Bb cornet
|
|
| Classification | Brass |
|---|---|
| Related instruments | |
| Trumpet | |
The cornet is a brass instrument that looks a lot like a trumpet. But it's different because it has a more cone-shaped inside (called a bore). This gives it a softer, more mellow sound. Most cornets are in the key of B♭. This means when you play a C on the cornet, it sounds like a B♭ to someone listening. There's also a smaller E♭ cornet.
Contents
How the Cornet Was Invented
The cornet was created around 1820 in France. It came from an instrument called the post horn. This was a simple horn used to signal things, like the arrival of a mail coach.
One of the first people to make modern cornets was Jean Asté in Paris in 1828. Cornets started appearing in French music pieces in the 1800s.
The cornet could only be invented thanks to new piston valves. These valves were improved by Friedrich Blühmel and Heinrich Stölzel in the early 1800s. They invented valves almost at the same time. Later, in 1838, François Périnet got a patent for an even better valve. His design is still used in most brass instruments today.
Cornet vs. Trumpet: What's the Difference?
_in_B-flat_MET_270292.jpg)
The cornet was made by adding valves to the post horn in 1814. These valves allowed players to play many different notes. Trumpets were slower to start using these new valves.
For about 100 years, composers wrote separate parts for trumpets and cornets. Trumpets often played loud, fanfare-like sounds. Cornets, with their mellower tone, played more melodic parts.
Today, modern trumpets also have valves. This means they can play the same notes and use the same fingerings as the cornet. Cornets and trumpets in the same key (like B♭) play at the same pitch. The way you play both instruments is almost the same.
How to Play the Cornet
Like the trumpet and other modern brass instruments, the cornet makes sound when the player "buzzes" their lips. You buzz your lips into the mouthpiece. This makes the air inside the instrument's tubing vibrate. This vibration creates the sound you hear.
Where You Can Hear Cornets Played
Brass Bands
British brass bands are groups made up only of brass instruments. They also have a percussion section. In these bands, the cornet is the main instrument that plays the melodies. Trumpets are not usually used in these bands.
Concert Bands
The cornet is also used in British-style concert bands. In older American concert band music, especially before 1960, you might find separate parts for trumpets and cornets. However, in newer American pieces, cornets are rarely included. Trumpets have mostly replaced them in modern American bands. This difference comes from the history of British military bands, where the cornet was always the highest brass instrument.
Fanfare Orchestras
Fanfare orkesten (or "fanfare orchestras") are found in places like the Netherlands and Belgium. They use a full family of instruments called saxhorns. These orchestras traditionally include both cornets and trumpets. However, in recent years, trumpets have largely replaced cornets in these groups too.
Jazz Bands
In early jazz bands, the cornet was often preferred over the trumpet. But starting with the swing era, the trumpet became more popular. This is because the trumpet is louder and has a more piercing sound. The cornet has also mostly disappeared from big bands. This change happened as people started to prefer louder and more aggressive instruments, especially after bebop jazz became popular after World War II.
Famous jazz musician Buddy Bolden played the cornet. Louis Armstrong also started playing the cornet before he switched to the trumpet.
Images for kids
-
A short model traditional cornet, also known as a shepherd's crook–shaped model.
-
Connie Jones playing a long-model cornet.
See also
In Spanish: Corneta para niños
