History of the Trumpet

Evolution of Trumpets

By Carl V. Johnson & Jack Galliett

In the world of music, there a number of instruments that contribute to making our music. Some instruments that create the music we hear today could consist of guitars, violins, voice, or computer. But the trumpet is unique instrument in the fact that it was originally used as a form of communication on the battlefield or in military camps. It is only recently that composers started to use the bright instrument in orchestras, jazz pieces, or modern music. The trumpet is an instrument that has survived from 1500 B.C. and has become an instrument that is played often and enjoyed by many crowds.

The oldest metal trumpets date back to the ancient romans. It was called the Roman tuba, which was mainly used as a form of military communication, how ever it was also used as a religious instrument as well. (Tarr, 26). The trumpet design didn’t change much through the middle ages, however the role of the trumpet changed from simply being a military instrument to being an instrument that was found in the royal courts.

There wasn’t much change to the trumpet until the Baroque era when the instrument became  known as the harmonic or natural trumpet. There is only a certain number of notes that can be played on the natural trumpet. Most baroque composers that included the trumpet in their works had them play as a solo instrument that was specifically made for a certain trumpet player. The modern trumpet is normally tuned to B-flat, but the natural trumpet was tuned to the key of C or D. However the natural trumpet could also be tuned to different keys by changing slides, this process was difficult and proved to be a challenge while performing.

Natural Trumpet Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UhERt4dDLU

As history progressed, the trumpet started to decline in popularity because of its limited range and notes. As the romantic era approached, the invention of rotary valves were made in hopes to save the trumpet. But unfortunately, it was difficult to make with the limited amount of resources and the complex design. It was really the 19th century that saved the trumpet from disappearing. In 1810, an irishman by the name of Joseph Halliday invented the first working keys for the trumpet, only to be followed by two inventors that in 1818 created the first valves. Valves solved the struggle of all the tubing and the challenges that came with changing them out. The valves work in the way that when not pressed down, the air would pass through the tubing creating a single pitch. But when the one of the keys is pressed down, the air flowing through the trumpet would travel through addition tubing and change the pitch.

In the book Thinking Musically by Bonnie C. Wade, she discusses the development of instruments. She describes these instruments as items of technology since they have been changing all throughout history. With the latest invention, it made the trumpet no longer an instrument for the high class to perform on, but for all to enjoy the music of the trumpet. Because of this, the trumpet was used more in orchestral music and jazz ensembles. More recently, with the creation of the plastic trumpet, more commonly know as the ptrumpet, has let all have access to a trumpet with a quality sound (ptrumpet video https://youtu.be/5_-cIMzOIPc)

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The trumpet is one of the longest surviving instruments with the many designs and uses. In the western classification of instrument, the trumpet strongly represents the aerophones as it is played in symphonies, wind ensembles, and jazz bands. The military uses of the trumpet will also stay strong as it is a tradition that runs deep and is still used as a sign of honor when performed. The trumpet has a bright future in the world of instruments and will remain strong in music.

Works Cited

Estrella, Espie. "The Trumpet's Long and Rich History." About Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <http://musiced.about.com/od/lessonsandtips/a/trumpethistory.htm>.

"Natural Trumpet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 8 May 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_trumpet>.

Tarr, Edward H. The Trumpet. Portland, Or.: Amadeus, 1988. Print.

"Trumpet." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpet>.

Wade, Bonnie C. Thinking Musically: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. Print.

Weidmann, Kyle. "A History of the Trumpet." YouTube. N.p., 23 June 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <https://youtu.be/3mFrUY5H_EI>.

Work:

Carl: History/research, Videos

Jack: History/research, Pictures