Which Horn, Small Group Jazz?

Richard III · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 7:09 am Post subject: Which Horn, Small Group Jazz?

I have a little group that does jazz from the early 1900's. We are two horns, piano and bass. The music is my arrangements where the two horns alternate lead and then have tight harmony sections. Our gigs are small rooms from a small restaurant to a small concert venue. The biggest audience is maybe 50 people. No amplification.

Here's the question. The other horn guy plays baritone. Used to be trumpet. I play marching french horn. We started that way to get a trumpet and trombone kind of vibe. But we found the trumpet was just too much for the small venues. So we switched the other guy to baritone. Beautiful sound. We blend great.

But, the last gig someone commented that there's not enough difference in sound and it's kind of muddy. I listened to the recording and maybe they are right. I know, recording isn't the same as real ears.

I'm playing with the idea to switch my part to flugelhorn or small turn-of-the-century cornet. The cornet has a very light and small sound.

Which horn do you think works better for our application?

Thanks.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

Cornet. It was the instrument of choice for the period. And mutes: straight solotone, pixie and plunger.

Turkle · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:55 am Post subject:

Richard III · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:29 am Post subject:

Richard III · Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2019 3:02 pm Post subject:

This is the cornet I've been playing today. Very sweet sound. 1903 Conn "The Wonder."

[img]

CIMG2764 by genevie7, on Flickr[/img]
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187