The Natural Trumpet (15th to 19th Century)
The term “natural trumpet” originated during the Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries) when composers began creating music specifically for this instrument. The natural or baroque trumpet reached its pinnacle during the Baroque era (17th and 18th centuries), gaining prominence as a solo instrument alongside the violin and flute. Notable composers such as Bach contributed significantly to the trumpet’s repertoire during this period.
Key figures in the field today, such as Jean-François Madeuf, continue to champion the natural trumpet’s unique qualities, as demonstrated in performances like his rendition of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2.
Parts of the Natural Trumpet
Constructed without soldered joints, the natural trumpet comprises two tubing lengths, a bell section, and two bows. The parts fit together, secured with resin or beeswax. Lacking valves or holes, the trumpet’s design demands mastery from the player, relying on lip tension adjustments to navigate the harmonic series.
The Harmonic Series on the Natural Trumpet
The natural trumpet’s harmonic series, produced through lip tension variations, encompasses a set of notes. Trumpeters, like those in the Baroque era, skillfully manipulated their lips to correct impure harmonics. While the series theoretically extends infinitely, practical limitations result in only a few examples of extreme high harmonics.
Bach’s Trumpet Parts
Compositions by Bach, notably his trumpet parts, often required mastery of specific harmonics. The choice of trumpet key corresponds to the fundamental of its harmonic series, defining the range and tonal characteristics.
The Keyed Trumpet (19th Century)
With the decline of the clarino style in the late 18th century, efforts to enhance the trumpet’s chromatic capabilities led to inventions like Anton Weidinger’s keyed trumpet around 1793. Despite its brief popularity, the keyed trumpet, showcased in Haydn’s Concerto, eventually fell out of favor due to its limited repertoire.
Despite its success with Haydn’s Concerto, the invention of Weidinger’s keyed trumpet failed to gain popularity and rapidly fell into disuse. In fact, its repertoire is quite limited:
- Concerto per il clarino (Franz Joseph Haydn) was written in 1796, although it wasn’t premiered until 1800 due to its difficulty. Weidinger tried the instrument out before performing Haydn’s Concerto on two pieces by Kozeluch and Weigl.
- Sinfonia concertante (Leopold Kozeluch) in 1798.
- Opus symphonicum (Joseph Weigl) in 1799.
- Unnamed aria for female voice and keyed trumpet (Franz Xaver Sussmayr) in 1800.
- Sextet (Ferdinand Kauer) in 1800.
- Trio (Johann Nepomuk Hummel) in 1802.
- Concerto a tromba principale (Johann Nepomuk Hummel) in 1803, premiered on January 1st, 1804.
- Polonaise (Antonio Casimir Cartellieri) around 1807.
- Requiem (Sigismund Neukomm) in 1815.
Parts of the Keyed Trumpet
Featuring a conical bell section and keys for chromaticism, the keyed trumpet aimed to revive the trumpet’s solo role. However, its repertoire remained constrained, with only a handful of compositions showcasing its capabilities.
Harmonic Principle of the Keyed Trumpet
Similar to modern woodwind instruments, the keyed trumpet relied on specific holes and keys to produce different harmonics. The mechanism, though innovative, failed to secure a lasting place in musical history.
The Modern Trumpet (19th Century until Today)
In the early 19th century, innovations such as the rotary valve and piston valve revolutionized trumpet design. The rotary trumpet, common in German-speaking regions, boasts a distinctive dark sound. The piston valve, widely adopted and perfected over time, became the standard mechanism, dominating the global trumpet landscape across various musical genres.
Parts of the Modern Trumpet
The modern trumpet retains the basic structure of the natural trumpet but incorporates valves for chromaticism. The tubing length is approximately half that of the natural trumpet, influencing the harmonic series.
How do we produce chromatic notes?
Valves and tuning slides allow trumpet players to achieve chromaticism, altering the pitch by modifying the length of the tubing. Different valve combinations create a range of tones, enabling musicians to navigate a chromatic scale.
Trumpets in Other Keys
Apart from the B flat piston trumpet, other keys such as C, Eb/D, F/G, and Bb/A Piccolo trumpets cater to specific musical demands. The choice of trumpet key affects the instrument’s pitch and tonal characteristics.
Other Instruments in the Trumpet Family
Cornet
In 1814, the invention of pistons gave rise to the cornet, which featured conical tubing and produced a warm, velvety sound distinct from the trumpet’s penetrating tone. Composers began assigning separate parts for trumpets and cornets, with the latter excelling in agility and expressiveness. Notable cornet virtuosos of the time included Jean-Baptiste Arban, Jules Levy, and Herbert Lincoln Clarke.
Flugelhorn
Derived from the German bugle, the flugelhorn originally resembled a natural trumpet but with a conical section. Around 1840, Adolph Sax added keys to create the keyed bugle, and today’s flugelhorn incorporates pistons. Widely used in bands and jazz groups, the flugelhorn is tuned in B flat. Renowned flugelhorn players include Clark Terry, Chuck Mangione, and Paolo Fresu.
Conclusion
The evolution of the trumpet from its natural form to the modern instrument showcases a fascinating journey marked by technological innovations and artistic adaptations. While the natural trumpet thrived in the Baroque era, subsequent developments like the keyed trumpet and, ultimately, the modern trumpet with piston valves, expanded the instrument’s capabilities. Each iteration, shaped by the musical demands of its time, contributed to the trumpet’s versatility and enduring presence in various genres. Today, trumpeters continue to explore and celebrate the rich history of this remarkable instrument, bridging the traditions of the past with the demands of contemporary music.
