ancestor is perhaps the ancient shofar (ram’s horn), which also dates from biblical times. The most recognizable ancestor of the modern-day trumpet was the natural trumpet (trumpet without valves), first used in the Renaissance era. It could only produce a limited number of notes, but nonetheless thrived as a popular instrument because of its wonderful sound. Composers such as Bach and Vivaldi wrote extensively for this instrument. In the mid-1800s piston valves were created which open and close various lengths of tubing, allowing the trumpet to play all of the notes in the chromatic scale. The modern trumpet was born.

The trumpet is perhaps the most versatile instrument in the brass family (which includes French horn, trombone, baritone horn and tuba), thriving in many styles from jazz and pop to classical and rock. Trumpet players have often been in the limelight, among them many jazz, Big Band and classical greats such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Doc Severinsen, Maurice Andre and Wynton Marsalis.

The trumpet is often a featured instrument in the orchestra as shown in Mossourgsky ‘s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Prominent composers like Haydn and Vivaldi wrote concertos for one and sometimes two natural trumpets. The jazz and Dixieland idioms have always made extensive use of the instrument, and groups such as Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears have given solo status to the trumpet in rock

music. Whatever the musical style, the trumpet has thrived for centuries.

THE TRUMPET FAMILY

There are various types of trumpets and related instruments. The most common is the Bb trumpet which is played in concert bands, jazz bands, rock bands and most ensembles which involve trumpet. Other commonly used trumpets include the C trumpet, D trumpet, Eb trumpet, and piccolo trumpet. These differ from the Bb trumpet in the length of tubing, which as listed above,

progressively get smaller, making them higher in pitch. They can he heard in orchestras and chamber ensembles, and are used for solo trumpet works as well. The piccolo trumpet, which is the smallest horn (a full octave higher than the Bb trumpet), is most recognizable from the long- standing theme of “Masterpiece Theater” on PBS. The cornet is very similar to the Bb trumpet only it has a conical bore instead of a cylindrical bore, making it “darker” in sound. The fluegel horn has a bigger bell, with a wider flare and tubing which is wrapped with wider curves, giving it a much mellower sound than a trumpet. There are also various types of bugles (a conical trumpet without valves) commonly heard in the military or the Boy Scouts playing “Taps” and “Reveille.”

So there are many trumpets and trumpet-related instruments. How- ever, most students only need to play the Bb trumpet, at least until

high school. At that point, they

may want additional trumpets for ensembles and solo works that demand the use of other instruments.

IS IT HARD TO PLAY??

Most beginning students, when properly instructed, can produce a sound on the trumpet right away. It will take practice and a good instrument to help make that sound a desirable one. It is easier than many instruments as far as manual dexterity is concerned. The trumpet differs from an instrument such as the piano, where anyone can play the highest note just by pressing it, because the trumpet player attains various pitches with the use of air and a proper embouchure (em- BOW-sher), which is the way in which the lips are formed to produce a sound. With 30 minutes of practice a day and guidance from a competent teacher, a student can develop his or her technique, while building range and endurance, very rapidly. Listening to recordings of great trumpet players can vastly increase the student’s interest while showing them what the instrument should sound like. Playing