The Trumpet

The Trumpet is a powerful and popular wind instrument.

Dating back to at least 1500 BCE, this is one of the oldest wind instruments in existence.

These horns have changed and evolved throughout history, but the general history behind the instrument remains unchanged.

To make a first sound on this instrument, much like with a Bugle, is reletively easily. The player produces a buzzing sound with his or her lips which is then amplified by the conical horn. Modern trumpets are made of brass to allow the sound to resonate fully and feature three valves that allow players to produce a wide range of notes. Every time a valve is pressed, the total length of the horn’s tubing changes, resulting in different frequencies.

Famous Trumpet Players

Like the saxophone, the trumpet has been used in a number of musical styles, including jazz, funk, rock and classical music. The most famous trumpet players have been jazz artists like Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt and Dizzy Gillespie. Classical trumpet has its own luminaries, such as Maurice Andre, Adolph “Bud” Herseth and Rafael Mendez. A current Trumpet player with an Tine Thing Helseth, who at age 24 is an absolute rock star in the Classical Trumpet world. Having played with many well known orchestras and at a number of festivals across Europe and the US. Some players, like Wynton Marsalis, have even found success in both jazz and classical music.

Trumpets and Saxophones

Trumpets and saxophones have long been paired in ensembles. In fact, the saxophone was designed to be used in military bands, groups in which trumpets feature prominently. Since then, saxophones have played alongside trumpets in nearly any type of group imaginable, including wind ensembles, small jazz combos and big band groups. While saxophones are not traditionally included in a symphony orchestra alongside trumpets, some composers such as Bizet, Strauss and Prokofiev have written orchestral pieces that include saxophones.

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