Gender Differences Between A Trumpet And A Cornet.
When first reading this heading, some might conclude that I am a sexist, making a gender distinction between the two instruments. Some may also consider the possibility that I am losing my mind to which you would have to consult with my therapist (my wife). Some may also wonder what this title has to do with anything at all, and to those precious few, I write this post.
I must admit that I do consider women different from men in many respects. I open doors for the ladies and even walk on the street side of the sidewalk when accompanying my wife down the street. To the younger generation this last tradition goes all the way back to the times when horses traveled down the mud ridden streets and a gentleman was expected to walk on the street side of the walkway in order to protect his female companion from mud being thrown from the horses hoofs. I refer to a women as ma’am (Madam, or madame /ˈmædəm/, is a polite form of address for women, often contracted to “ma’am”) or young lady and let any women enter a doorway before I enter. Some may call this sexism, I call it good manners. It is with respect to every male and female that I begin my post with this explanation of my background and beliefs.
Before you miss informed readers start sending me nasty messages, please note that I am generalizing and in no way am I making any references to individuals. I am only comparing the most common traits of men and women and comparing these attributes to the trumpet (the instrument) and the cornet (the instrument), not people.
Now on with my comparisons-
What characteristics do most men exemplify?
• Strong.
• Dominant.
• Less flexible.
• Narrow focused.
• Unapologetic.
• Leader.
• Not a good follower.
• Louder.
• Chance taking.
• Impractical.
• Self-confident to a fault.
• Lack refinement.
• Sometimes crude.
• Not always the sharpest knife in the drawer.
What characteristics do most women exemplify?
• Gentile.
• Submissive.
• Adaptable.
• Broad minded.
• Thoughtful of others.
• Works well in groups.
• Adaptable to others thinking
• Quiet.
• Conservative.
• Practical.
• Open to others opinions.
• Refined.
• Practical.
• Intelligent.
Now I will list the general characteristics of both the trumpet and the cornet.
What playing characteristics do trumpets exemplify?
• Strong.
• Dominant.
• Less flexible.
• Narrow focused.
• Unapologetic.
• Leader.
• Not a good follower.
• Louder.
• Chance taking.
• Impractical.
• Self-confident to a fault.
• Lack refinement.
• Sometimes crude.
What playing characteristics do cornets exemplify?
• Gentile.
• Submissive.
• Adaptable.
• Broad minded.
• Thoughtful of others.
• Works well in groups.
• Adaptable to others thinking
• Quiet.
• Conservative.
• Practical.
• Open to others opinions.
• Refined.
• Practical.
From these lists I contend that the trumpet and the cornet should be handled in a playing style appropriate to the gender of each instrument.
Any questions?
You may very well call it good manners, but it’s sexism nonetheless. The moment you make sweeping generalizations, the moment you divide two out of many categories using just stereotypes, those are the moment that those groups get hurt, and what we need to change, whether good intentioned or not.
Honestly, after reading this, I feel ashamed to ever have read or associated myself with this blog.
<“You may very well call it good manners, but it’s sexism nonetheless”.
Remind me to never show respect to you lest I insult you thegypsyvixen
“The moment you make sweeping generalizations, the moment you divide two out of many categories using just stereotypes, those are the moment that those groups get hurt, and what we need to change, whether good intentioned or not”.
Miss, (Oops) Mrs., (Oops) Ms, (Oops) gypsyvixen, you need to learn how to divide your comments into individual sentences so that you can be more easily understood.
“Honestly, after reading this, I feel ashamed to ever have read or associated myself with this blog”.
What makes me think that you did a Google search for “Gender Differences” looking for someone to attack with your strong views on male female interaction and you have little interest in playing the trumpet?
Hi Bruce,
I am certainly one of the younger folks to whom you refer (I was born the year before you became faculty at UNI), and my husband is 16 months younger than I. He opens doors for me and other women (and men), walks on the street side of the sidewalk when he’s with me, and calls women ma’am and men sir. We don’t think that’s old fashioned. Like you say, it’s just good manners.
I thought your comparison of the two instruments was cute and I didn’t take any offense at all! It was also a neat coincidence that — OK tangent here:
I’m an amateur trumpet player. I play in a band called The Torture Chamber Orchestra, which is a group of adult musicians playing instruments that aren’t their “usual” instruments. I played (and I use that term loosely) flute in my youth, but I don’t really have a “usual” instrument, unless you count my voice. A good number of our members play other instruments professionally and/or studied music in college. We practice together once a week. When I first started in 2007, I practiced every day because I couldn’t make a sound. Not a sound. Not even a bad sound. Just air. But for basically the last 8 years or so, I’ve played about once a week, if you count our performances and times when practice is cancelled… That is to say, I never practice at home. Two weeks ago, we had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of _Miles Ahead_. It inspired me to practice daily and really start learning all I can about the trumpet and the playing of it, and music in general. That’s how I came to find your blog. I started with your first post, and have been reading through all of them sequentially. I also subscribed to your RSS feed. So thank you for all this wonderful information!
[end of tangent]
— I had just looked up “what’s the difference between a cornet and a trumpet” and watched an Australian guy’s video about that subject… after I had read your post about the difference between amateur and professional musicians, when I told myself, “self, you need to be more like a professional” and then decided I’d set up an amazon list for “Trumpet Rewards” where I’d add things I’d get myself when I reach milestones I set for myself, the first being a trumpet stand. Researching trumpet stands, I found one that had good reviews and was reading the customer questions, one of which asked if it fit a cornet. Then I thought, “do I have a trumpet or a cornet? I don’t even know the difference!” (It’s a trumpet. In fact, it’s the trumpet my husband had in grade school…. his parents were overjoyed when I brought it home and started playing it. “Finally, someone will use it after we spent all that money on it!” haha). Then I come back to read the next article on your blog, and lo! same/similar topic. I love coincidences!
Anyway, I just wanted to leave some positive feedback right here on this post. I consider myself a modern feminist (but not in that bad-connotation way), and took no offense whatsoever to your article. In fact, it helped me put a few things about my trumpet playing into perspective…. and might lead me to add a cornet to my “Trumpet Rewards” list if I ever think I can afford one.
Thanks again!
tree
First I would like to compliment you on your grammar, word usage and high level of intelligence. No…. I’m serous! That was a beautifully crafted comment which was refreshing to read. Some of the comments run the gamut of “you’re an idiot” to “who do you think you are”?
There seems to be two very strong forces in music today which are hopeful indications that music may survive.
The first is the building interest of the “comeback players” movement and the second is the increasing interest in ensembles such as the “New Horizons” band movement. Both are expanding and through the comeback movement and ensembles such as yours, many more people are enjoying music as they had earlier in their lives.
You might be interested in adding to your achievement list my on line trumpet lessons.
Check it out at….. http://www.trumpetlessonsonline.com/Thanks for your refreshing comments and the very best to you and yours from Branson.
Thanks, Bruce!
I will check out the lessons, for sure!
I’ve already downloaded and have been using the Melodic Flexibility chart (I only do the Humouresque and (part of) Happy Birthday right now (I’ve never played above a high G on the trumpet, so I start on the one where the highest note is B above the staff and forgive myself for sounding missing it and being super weak on the A). I’ll get there, though!
Thanks, again!
tree (from sort-of-nearby STL, and also originally from Illinois)