What are the differences between trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets and flugelhorns?

written by Bruce Chidester on April 4, 2025

Trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets, and flugelhorns are all part of the brass family and look quite similar at first glance, but they each have unique characteristics that make them suited for different styles, ranges, and tones. Here’s a breakdown of their main differences: Trumpet Key: Most commonly in B♭. Tone: Bright, piercing, and powerful. Bore Shape: Cylindrical (same diameter throughout most of the tubing), which contributes to its sharp tone. Usage: Classical, jazz, pop, marching bands, orchestras—very versatile. Range: Standard trumpet range, extending from F# below middle C to about 2.5 octaves above. Cornet Key: Also usually in…

Shofar Sho Good!

written by Bruce Chidester

A shofar (pron. /ʃoʊˈfɑːr/, from Hebrew: is an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram’s horn, used for Jewish religious purposes. Like the modern bugle, the shofar lacks pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player’s embouchure. The shofar is blown in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and at the very end of Yom Kippur, and is also blown every weekday morning in the…

Stockholm Chamber Brass- “It Doesn’t Get much Better Than This”

written by Bruce Chidester

With the support of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, this ensemble took part in the 1988 International Competition for Brass Quintets in Narbonne, France, where it won first prize. The quintet has played a major role in expanding the modern repertoire of brass quintets. Since its founding, it has…

Trumpet Tips

Rest As Much As You Play

written by Bruce Chidester

My response to the discussion posted on TPIN There seems to be a flurry of excitement on the TPIN site about the comfort of your lip or the “rest as much as you play” discussion, and for that reason, I would like to add to the discussion. Everyone would like…

Trumpet Tips

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 4 “Individual Note Dynamics”

written by Bruce Chidester

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of individual note dynamics in your music. Read this sentence out loud- “I want that car” Notice how the intent of the…

Trumpet Tips

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 3 “Phrase Dynamics”

written by Bruce Chidester

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of phrase dynamics in your music. Most written music offers some indication of dynamics but additional changes in your volume can give…

Trumpet Tips

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You? Part 2 “Articulation”

written by Bruce Chidester

Welcome back and today we will discuss a major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of articulation in your music. Articulation- noun a: the act of giving utterance or expression b: the act or manner of articulating sounds c: an articulated utterance or sound The…

Trumpet Trends & News

We Have Lost Another Great Trumpet Educator This Morning

written by Bruce Chidester

Many may not know the name Keith Johnson but to trumpet players who have attended the University of Northern Iowa and the University of North Texas this name is well known. Our good friend Prof. Keith Johnson past away this morning and when more information is available, I will share…

Trumpet Tips

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?

written by Bruce Chidester

At first reading most would consider that statement as a boasting, self centered comment made by a pompous egotist. And you might be correct in your opinion but do remember, all trumpet players are usually a little “big headed” about their art form. Today as I worked on my sites,…

A New Toy Gets A Look-Over

written by Bruce Chidester

On an earlier post I showed what was used decades ago to alter your sound and octaves with the old Vox Octavoice. Now it’s time to see how things have improved in the digital world. Check out this video and learn what is possible to use today to improve or…

Trumpet Videos

I Think We All Can Use An Escape- Let’s hear it for the “Mnozil Brass”

written by Bruce Chidester

Mnozil Brass is an Austrian brass septet. They play classical, jazz and other styles of music using traditional brass instruments and more unusual instruments such as the customized rotary valved trumpet and bass trumpet. Music is presented with a typical Austrian style of humour, which can be approximately characterized as “jet black” and…

Aerosol Studies on Spreading the Virus

written by Bruce Chidester

Thanks to our good friend (Corky Maschinot) from The Villages in Florida for sharing this with us. NHIMA New Horizons International Music Association Aerosol Studies Preliminary Results, July 2020 Below you will find 2 links to very important studies to provide information about aerosol distribution for wind instruments. The first…

“Free Arrangement Contest”- Winners

written by Bruce Chidester

The results of our “Free Arrangement Contest” are in and the winning entries will be sent out in the next few weeks. I would like to thank all of you that participate in this exercise and we will offer this option again next year. The benefit of the contest has…

“Free Arrangement Contest”

written by Bruce Chidester

Due to the fact that I have been regularly posting arrangements on our site for the past 13 years (ugh) I, from time to time, run out of ideas to work on. I am offering a contest to my friends which should both generate inspirations for me as well as…