Name of Instrument:
Cornet
Family:
Brasswind
How to Play:
Like the trumpet, the cornet has valves and is usually pitched in B flat. In order to play it the musician blows into the mouthpiece, presses the finger buttons, also known as valves, and moves the tuning slide.
Types:
The cornet used to be the brass solo instrument used by composers in the past before the trumpet came. It was used in jazz and dance music and functioned as the treble brass voice in an orchestra. Today they are primarily used in concert and marching bands. Cornets are usually pitched in B flat but there are also cornets pitched in a different key such as the E flat soprano cornet.
First Known Cornets:
The cornet is believed to have been derived from the post horn during the 1820s. One of the earliest makers was Jean Asté (Halary). The early cornet had a conical-shaped tube, three valves and a detachable shank. Today's cornet has valve casings and a Sheperd's Crook which is largely based on the design of Antoine Courtois.
Cornet Players:
Cornets used to be very popular until the trumpet emerged. Now, the trumpet and cornet are used interchangeably especially in jazz music. Some notable cornet players are: Isaac Levy, Hermann Koenig, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Bix Beiderbecke.