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Home , Bass trumpet, Piccolo trumpet, Tenor horn, Trombonium

low-pitched instruments. For this reason, most Bach oratorios are today performed on a high D , and January-February, 1950 extremely difficult compositions, like the "Christmas Oratorio," the Bach "B Minor ," etc., are generally played on the in High F, or piccolo trumpet in High G, or the piccolo trumpet in High Bb. Do You Know Your It is a recognized fact that composers do not always write the trumpet part in the proper pitch (favoring the ? open tones of an instrument as the old masters did to facilitate the execution of the part or to produce the right tone quality); instead they sometimes follow the road of convenience by just writing the trumpet part in the key in which the composition is written, taking it for granted that a trumpet player knows how to transpose and will Expert describes models and their special uses in select the right kind of an instrument, as he sees fit. Other modern symphony and band take it for granted that every player uses a Bb trumpet (which is predominantly used in Germany and Russia), while other composers who lived in France or Austria VINCENT BACH where arc mostly used have written most of their trumpet parts in C. The instruments are described as follows, with notations on how they are used by our leading symphony THE WORK of a modern symphony or orchestra artists. trumpeter is highly exacting. In addition to technique, tone, and range, he must be prepared to play the various Piccolo Trumpet in High Bb instruments indicated in the scores— instruments varying in pitch and . This is not for the purpose of This instrument is not very much used but is well suited avoiding the difficulties of transposition, but to facilitate for the performance of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto the execution of difficult technical passages, to overcome No. 2," also for the "Christmas Oratorio," and Bach "B problems of intonation, and to produce the particular Minor Mass." We build these instruments in two bell tonal quality which the type of composition prescribes. sizes—one on the style of the regular trumpet and the Not all players agree on the type of instrument that other with a comparatively large bell, resembling; the should be used for certain compositions. For instance, the fluegclhorn bell. This instrument with a large D trumpet prescribed in Bach oratorios was originally is used by Georges Mager, first trumpeter of the Boston played on a low D trumpet, which instrument was used Symphony Orchestra, in most of Bach's compositions. with a shallow smaller mouthpiece in the extreme high register. Symphony men of today are not accustomed to Trumpet in C playing this type of instrument and could not afford to train their just for the occasional use of these Every symphony trumpeter must have a C trumpet

Top, Aida trumpet. Above, left to right: Piccolo trumpet in high Bb, C trumpet, high D trumpet, soprano trumpet in Eb, soprano in Eb, piccolo trumpet in high F, piccolo trumpet in high G, and Bb fluegelhorn. Not in picture, Bb trumpet. available and should use it a good part of the time—if not parts of Respighi's "Pines of Rome" {written for Bb altogether. In France, C trumpets are used exclusively in trumpet but fits better within range of D trumpet); symphony , and to a great extent also in Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary;" Ravel's "Bolero;" Germany and particularly in Austria. The trumpet section Prokolief's "Lieutenant Kije" (written in Bb, but of the Boston Symphony Orchestra is famous for its fine backstage call should be played on D trumpet); performances on C trumpets. A good many modern Proko-fieff's "Suite Scythe;" Stravinsky's "Sacre du compositions art very strenuous to play when written in Printemps" (for 2nd part of composition), and other the high register and a trumpeter can perform these parts modern compositions. with greater case and more effectively by using a C trumpet rather than by forcing the high tones on a Bb Soprano Trumpet in High Eb trumpet. Our leading trumpet players are using C trumpets more and more. The instrument is particularly A very important instrument for modern symphony work effective in Wagncr's "Parsifal Prelude," Strauss' and which every symphony trumpeter should own and be "Thus Spake Zarathustra," "Symphonia Domestica," ready to play on quick notice. The instrument is used for Tone Poems and other compositions; Brahms' compositions such as William Schuman's ''American symphonies, numbers 1, 2, and 4; Mendelssohn's Festival Overture," Stravinsky's "Sacre de Printemps" "Italian" and "Reformation" symphonies; Dvorak's "New (written for D trumpet but the first part is better World;" Debussy's "Festivals;" Stravinsky's "Fire Bird;" performed on the Eb trumpet, the second part betler on D in Respighi's "Pines of Rome," and all chamber music, trumpet), Vincent d'Indy's "Symphony," Saint-Saens' because of the light singing tone of the instrument. "Jennesse d' Hercule."

Bb Trumpet in Eb

Generally built of 50% conical and 509': cylindrical bore While this instrument is rarely prescribed in symphony tubing. This instrument is used for concert and dance scores, it is widely used in all European concert bands— work and because of its sure response in attack and its in England, France, Italy, Germany, etc. It is a very heroic, martial tone, is best suited for heavy fanfare effective instrument which deserves to be reintroduced in music, nourishes and other staccato work. It is, therefore, our American concert bands. In most the military bands the most practical instrument for all-around orchestral on the European continent where fluegclhorns are used work. (For solo and band work, the cornet should be instead of , they also use a High Eb Fluegelhorn, given preference). which is very effective. The Bb trumpet is very popular in the United States, England, Germany, Italy, Russia and the German Piccolo Trumpet in High F speaking part of Switzerland, In France, Austria and the French secnon of Switzerland. the trumpet players are The High F Trumpet is an important instrument for a accustomed to play C trumpets. In the English- and symphony musician and is used today for most of the French-speaking countries, brass players prefer difficult oratorio performances, for some of the very high instruments with piston valves (Perinet valves, invented parts in the Bach "B Minor Mass." and for Bach's in 1839). In Germany, Russia, Austria and the German "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2." It is the most popular speaking part of Switzerland, the musicians use rotary instrument for use on these compositions. (All piccolo valves (invented in 1813). instruments should be used with smaller and shallower Modern trumpets are built in various bores and the so- mouthpieces to do justice to both instruments and called "medium" bore (.453") is recommended for dance player.) orchestra and other strenuous work. The ''medium large" (.459") or "large bore" (.462") are with some exception Piccolo Trumpet in High G given preference by symphony men. The "bore" generally refers to the valve bore alone and does not The High G Trumpet has been designed principally for indicate what tone quality or timbre is to be expected the performance of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No, from the instrument—unless additional Information is 2," which can be executed with greater facility on given regarding the size of the bell and the mouthpipe. account of the high g-a trill which can be played one tone lower (f-g trill). The instrument lias a very brilliant tone High D Trumpet anil is suitable for work in the extreme high register.

This is another "must" for the symphony trumpeter Bb Fluegelhorn playing modern works or oratorios by Bach, Handel, etc. This instrument has a brilliant tone and is very effective This instrument represents the contralto voice of opera. It in the high register in Bach's "B Minor Mass," has a rich. very mellow tone of l)ric timbre and is well "Christmas Oratorio," "3rd Suite in D," and most other suited for song playing, especially in the middle register Bach compositions; Handel's "Water Music," "Messiah;" (contralto range). It is of exactly the same pitch and range Mozart and Haydn symphonies are played as the Bb trumpet or cornet. It is widely used in European advantageously on a D trumpet (which blends well with military bands (in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the strings) ; Beethoven's "7th" and "9th" symphonies; Switzerland, etc.), If used in the proper place, the instrument is very effective and should be used much more in American military organizations. The Low Eb and F Trumpets instrument, unfortunately, is used in unison with cornets and trumpets, which gives a mixture of different tone These instruments are little known in the English- qualities without giving each instrument a chance to speaking countries, but are still very popular in Austria display its own charcteristic timbre. W'hcn fluegelhorns and other Germanic countries, as well as in Russia. In the are used for mellow passages, trumpets and cornets European orchestrations they share the work of third and should not play the same melody. In Austria and France, fourth cornet parts, also of French parts, playing to a they also use fluegelheirns built in C. great extent the afterbeat in march music. It would be vcry effective to use instruments of this type in American Aida (Triumphal) Trumpet marching bands and would help to emphasize the afterbeats and thereby improve the rhythm. These These instruments have been designed principally for instruments are also ideal for use in ensemble work performancesof the opera "Aida," but are extensively (brass quartets or quintets) and in combination with the used for other triumphal affairs, processions, and martial later-mentioned tenor trumpet in Bb. events. If used in Bb, the instrument can be used exactly like the regular Bb trumpet, but the score in the opera Alto in Eb "Aida" also prescribes Bb trumpets, which should have a different timbre of tone, for which reason these The Alto Trombone is specified in symphony scores like instruments are built in two keys. The instruments are Schumann's 3rd "Rhenish Symphony," Beethoven's (including mouthpiece) about 35 1/2 inches long. ''Fifth Symphony,'' Brahms' "Second .Symphony," Mozart's "Requiem," and Mendelssohn's "Reformation Tenor (Bass) Trumpet in Bb Symphony." European trombone players make frequent use of it and are accustomed to playing the instrument, This instrument is also suitable for Wagner and but the average American symphony man does not like to has been designed principally for replacing the valve risk playing it on account of the shorter slide positions; trombone. It is an ideal solo instrument, can be used to however, the instrument has its proper place in the great advantage in dance orchestras, and is the ideal symphony orchestra and if a player has difficulty with the instrument for brass quartets (two trumpets, a low Eb slide-positions, he should use an Eb valve trombone. trumpet, and a tenor trumpet in Bb. It is rather surprising that this instrument has not been adopted for general Tenor Trombone orchestra work long ago in place of slide , which are the only brass instruments of two centuries ago These are the most popular instruments for all-round which have survived. work in dance orchestras, theatres, and military bands. Generally built in medium bore, they arc also well suited Tenor (Bass) Trumpet in C to solo work.

Symphony Tenor Trombone in Bb

These are the ideal instruments for the first and second trombone players in symphony or opera, also large concert and military bands. Built in a rather large bore, they produce a rich mellow tone of organ-like timbre, This instrument is very popular in Latin countries (Italy, and are the choice of first-class musicians. The second Spain, Mexico) where most of the tenor instrumcnts are trombone player of a symphony orchestra might use to played in C. This instrument has been especially better advantage a tenor trombone equipped with an F designed for the performance of Wagner operas, Strauss, valve in order to be able to play the tones below E (which and other symphony compositions, and is best suited for appear only too frequently in symphony parts). this type of work. Bass Trombone in Bb Bb Cornet This instrument (with F valve) is used by the third This is the instrument for the solo artist. Because of its trombone player (bass trombonist) of symphony and two windings and more conical bore, the instrument has opera orchestras, also by large military bands. Without more resistance and is, therefore, more. flexible and using the F valve, the instrument is of the same pitch and better suited for coloratura work, for slurring, triple range as the symphony tenor trombone. Unfortunately, it tonguing, and othcr technical performances. The tone is is not well enough represented in the smaller concert smoother and not as heroic or martial as that of the Bb bands and especially not in high school and college trumpet. Especially the large bore cornet (having a more orchestras, perhaps for the reason that players do not mellow, richer tone) is very effective for melody playing know how to use it. Third trombone parts written for and the instrument should, therefore be given preference school music are generally written in , and the for use in the or by solo artists. player using a tenor trombone plays the upper note instead of the lower one, for which a bass trombone is its use for certain parts, in which the composer prescribes necessary. School band directors should insist that the it, to produce a certain quality of tone. bass trombone be used and that the pupils acquaint Eb alto horns have been built in trumpet form, which themselves with the function of the F valve. can be better heard in the because the bell points forward, while in the usual style the bell points Contrabass Trombone skyward. This is a new instrument of ours now under construction. It is prescribed in Wagner operas, "The Ring," also in in Eb or F Vincent d'lndys "A Summer Day in the Mountains." The This instrument serves to a more limited advantage than contrabass trombone is used in the leading German opera the Eb alto horn in the marching band. It will not serve in houses. American musicians have always gotten by with a cavalry band, because its balance requires the use of using a regular bass trombone, which, however, is not the both hands in playing. right kind of an instrument for fourth and fifth trombone While "usable" in a grade school band instead of the parts of "The Ring," requiring a sonorous low register. , it should not be considered an entirely The contrabass trombone is an lower than the satisfactory substitute, even for a talented beginner. This regular bass-trombone and is of the same pitch as the Bb instrument is fingered with the right hand, and if the . The principal reason why the instrument is not used mellophone player changes to French hom, he not only is because of its weight. Being twice as long as the has to change the type of mouthpiece, but he must straight length of a regular bass trombone, it is more than develop his finger technique with the left hand. twice as heavy, and therefore difficult to manipulate. It Therefore, any serious music student should give could be handled more easily by the use of valves, and preference to the double horn, which will be described we are working on a new design to enable the player to later. use it to practical advantage.

The average trombone player, again, dislikes to use the Valve Trombone, Tenor Trumpet , Bass contra bass trombone, because, since the instrument is an octave lower, a larger mouthpiece, similar to that of the tuba, must be used, which spoils his embouchure. The These instruments belong in one class and are generally average tuba player, on the other hand, hesitates to tackle built in Bb. (In Mexico, Italy, or Austria, they are built in a contrabass trombone with a. slide, as a tuba player is C). While the valve trombone is perhaps the oldest form, accustomed to valves. Therefore a happy compromise is its antiquated design should influence one to give to be worked out in the new instrument now under preference to a more modern instrument, such as the construction in our factory. tenor trumpet (made by the Vincent Bach Corporation), or the trombonium (made by H. N. White Co.), or the bass flugel horn (made by European valve instrument Eb Alto Horn manufacturers, generally with rotary valves), The principle of our present-day slide trombone was THE UPRIGHT ALTO is a practical instrument for the employed 250 years ago in the early trombone models marching or cavalry band. The French horn is not so used in Spain (), and also in slide trumpets and practical, since the conditions in a marching band are not other brass instruments. conducive to the playing of this instrument. After the invention of the (1813) and the The impact on the embouchure when marching piston valves (1836), the technical advantages of valve (especially on rough roads), or when riding a horse instruments were instantly recognized by all classes of (mounted cavalry bands) makes it difficult for a French brass instrumentalists, except the trombone players. They horn player to perform with surety and without risking contend that a valve trombone cannot have the same tone the loss of hia teeth. Since the French horn player must as a slide trombone, and claim that it cannot produce use both hands, it would be quite impossible for a cavalry glissando effects. They overlook, however, the fact that musician to play his instrument, and at the same time all other brass instruments have proven satisfactory in hold the horse's bridle. tone quality, and that the glissando effects can also be The necessarily brassy and more penetrating tone manipulated on a trumpet (and are misused only too quality of the Eb alto horn lends more emphasis to the often). rhythm of the marching band, and rhythm is the primary Trombone players cannot deny that in comparison with other brass instruments, the technical possibilities of a purpose of its existence. Also, the upright alto can be slide trombone are rather limited. A slide trombone held toward the body firmly with the right arm, still cannot produce fast legato scales, trills, certain other permitting the free use of the right hand fingers. The alto intricate passages, nor a smooth legato on slow passages, horn should, therefore, not be overlooked, especially or intervals without the glissando. since symphony conductors have frequently insisted on A further disadvantage is the inconvenience a trombonist suffers if he has to play in a crowded orchestra pit or stage, or in a marching band, where he music written for baritone voice in opera. The Bb has to be placed in the front row (where one might expect is featured primarily in American bands. to find the smaller melody instruments) so that he will not hit the players in front of him with his slide, The There is no valid reason why a trombone could not be built with the same sonorous tone quality, either in the The euphonium belongs in a similar class as the two form of the conventional valve trombone (which, previously mentioned instruments, but has a very large however, is also an antiquated design), or the more bell bore, and therefore, produces a rich, heavy, very modern tenor trumpet or trombonium, as long as these mellow tone. It should be used in solo performances for a instruments are built in the corresponding bore, and have slow lyric melody, as written for the basso singer in the same proportions of bell and mouth-pipe so that they opera. It is not meant for "fireworks," for the heavy tone will have similar resistance. is too clumsy, dull, and inflexible to be effective in coloratura work, and does not develop sufficient The Bb brilliancy to impress the audience. It takes too long for the attack of each individual tone This horn may be compared with the tenor voice of the to set the big volume of air contained in such a large bell opera. Because of its greater brilliancy, and greater into full vibration, and it is, therefore, difficult for a flexibility (due to the smaller bell bore), it should be euphonium player to produce fast staccato passages with given preference for solo work of coloratura style, fast a full volume of tone. technical passages, and light melodies written in opera Coloratura performances sound like "token" selections for the tenor voice, especially in the higher performances — even when the player possesses tenor range. Instruments of this type are used in England, sufficient technical ability. Yet this rich, mellow tone is Germany, Italy, and other countries, but are rarely heard very effective for sustained tones, from which a heavy in American bands. volume of tone is to be expected. are principally used in England. The Bb Baritone Horn Recommendations This instrument represents the baritone voice of opera, and has a more mellow, more sonorous, and less brilliant For the large concert and with a complete tone than the tenor horn. On account of having a instrumentation, I would suggest using one tenor horn, medium-large bell bore, the tone is accordingly heavier, one baritone, and one euphonium. Then it can be left to and the instrument is, therefore, less effective for fast the discretion of the conductor to assign the solo parts to coloratura work, or triple tonguing performances, than whichever instrument has the best timbre of tone for the the tenor horn. It is well suited for playing the type of proper interpretation of the music.