The Beginning Player, CORNET or TRUMPET?

For this article, the cornet I refer to is a long bell cornet, sometimes called the American cornet, with a medium large bore. The trumpet I refer to is a standard trumpet, also with a medium large bore. Both being played with a medium cup mouthpiece.

The long bell cornet has a more compact design, making it easier for the young student to properly hold the instrument. The shorter length and better balance of the cornet enables the student to more easily hold and play the instrument in the proper position. The trumpet, being longer places more of it's weight away from the student, making it more difficult for the student to hold the instrument in the correct position.

The long bell cornet is easier to play than the trumpet. The cornet more easily produces a tone and is more easily controlled, compared to the trumpet. The cornet will continue to give the student musician a performance edge when it comes to coloratura work, such as slurring, triple tonguing and other technical performance. The open bore of the trumpet does not as easily produce a tone and the sound is more difficult to control.

The long bell cornet has a smoother tone. The tone of the cornet blends better with the other instruments of the band and produces a unified sound. The cornet is often the preferred instruments for bands and for combined choral and instrumental performances. The trumpet has as brighter, larger tone that carries better to the audience. The trumpet is often the preferred instrument for the lead player, and for orchestral playing.

As a player and teacher of both the cornet and trumpet, my thoughts are that the long bell cornet is the better instrument for the beginning musician wanting to play high brass. Once the player has attained experience and skill, they may want to add the trumpet to the instruments they play, especially if they want the louder more focused sound of the trumpet for lead player, orchestral playing or marching band competition. For those who play in a British style brass band or SA band, a short bell (sheperd's crook) cornet is the instrument of choice.

The Blessing BCR-1230, Yamaha YCR-2310 and King 603 Cornet are good student model long bell cornets.

The Beginning Player, MOUTHPIECE SELECTION

Selecting a mouthpiece best suited for player's physical needs is very important. This importance must not be minimized. Shape and thickness of rim, diameter and depth of cup are all factors to be considered. That being said, I believe a player should start with one of the commonly used beginner mouthpieces and then diverge from there, if needed.

I suggest for beginning cornet and trumpet students to start on the standard Bach 7C or Schilke 11, design. The use of these similiar size and depth of cup allows cornets and trumpets to blend well together and present a unified sound for concert and marching band. I have had good results with the mouthpieces included in name brand quality new cornet/trumpet kits. That said, if the player has performance issues, look to the mouthpiece as well as the horn. A change in the mouthpiece may be warrented.

When there is a need to purchase a mouthpiece, I suggest a Bach or Schilke mouthpiece. I have had good experience with each and they offer a good selection of sizes. Stay away from off brand copies, which can contribute to out of tune playing and intonation problems.

The Beginning Player, MUTE SELECTION

There exist a wide selection of mute designs and materials. The beginning player will usually only need a straight mute and some times, also a cup mute. When selecting these mutes for a beginning student I am also aware of size and durability as well as sound and effect on the horn. The cornet and trumpet use the same mutes. But often the mute will simply be identified as for the trumpet. The Humes & Berg Trumpet Straight Mute 101 and Trumpet Cup Mute 102 have the best combination of sound, compact size and durability, and are used with both the trumpet, and the cornet. The mute should fit snugly in the bell of the instrument. The corks that are glued to the mute may be too large and need to be sanded down to achieve a proper fit. Often, sanding the edges of the cork, to achieve a rounded surface, is sufficient for a good fit. Before sanding for fit, also consider pitch. These mutes may or may not cause the instrument to play flat. Sanding the corks may enable the horn to play in tune with the mute inserted.

The Beginning Player, CARE OF THE CORNET AND TRUMPET

Keeping the cornet/trumpet clean and lubricated will insure a long useful life and good quality of sound. I consider the care and cleaning of the instrument to consists of three groups, daily, weekly, and at appropriate times. Prior to any playing, rinse the mouth vigorously with water.

Prior to playing the horn for the first time on any day, the valves should be oiled. The valve caps should be unscrewed and the valves lifted just far enough that the oil can be squirted onto the main body of the valve. Then reassemble. I recommend standard clear mineral oil.

As needed, or after cleaning the horn, the slides should be greased. Apply the grease evenly to the slide surface, insert into horn and wipe of any excess. I suggest using the type that comes in a tube, like chap stick, based on pariffin wax, but I also like the type based on anhydrous lanolin, which usually comes in a small cosmetic style container with screw on lid. This grease provides quicker slide movement when using the 1st and 3rd tuning slides to adjust pitch. I also use slide grease on the threads of the valve caps.

When playing, wear cotton gloves, to provide protection of the instrument finish from the oils and sweat of the hands. Some players will use an handkerchief, others a valve guard and of course some do nothing to protect the horn. Although the appearance has little if any effect on the sound, protecting the finish will enable the horn to look its' best.

When finished playing for the day I recomment removing as much of the mosture/spit from the horn as possible, removing the main and 3rd valve tuning slides, shaking out any moisture and blowing through the horn to remove what is in the horn. Then reassemble the horn.

After a week of playing blow a Herco Spitball through the horn. Do this with all valves held down so that the spitball goes through all the tubing.

The above being said, there are times when a full cleaning is in order. The example that comes to mind is after high school football season. All the students I know eat and drink during every football game. Even with use of the Spitball after each game, after the season is done, I recommend disassembling the horn, place in a tub of luke warm water, no soap, and using a cleaning snake clean all the tubing and the openings in the valves. Wipe off the valves with a clean soft cloth, clean away any grime found in valve caps and reassemble the horn, oiling and greasing where appropriated. I apply a coating of slide grease to any corks. Please note, each valve has a number stamped on it. This number usually faces toward the mouthpiece, but somtimes toward the bell. Install the valves in the corect order, facing the same direction as they came out. At this point it is a good to clean the inside of the mouthpiece with the mouthpiece brush.

Beginning Lesson Material

CLARKE STUDIES
Herbert L. Clarke/ed. Hickman
HICKMAN MUSIC EDITIONS
Includes all four of Clarke's instruction books for cornet or trumpet: Elementary Studies, Technical Studies, Characteristic Studies, and Setting Up Drills. Also included are eight pages of suggested practice routines for maximum results by David Hickman.

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