Natural/baroque trumpet for high keys (F, E, Eb)

Ludger.S · Regular Member Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Posts: 12

Hello fellow trumpeters,

Does someone out there have experience with natural/baroque trumpets for the high keys (F, E, Eb in A440)?

Once in a while, I need one for the classical and early romantic repertoire (Haydn, Schubert, Mendelssohn, etc.) and I am a bit unsure about the options. It is not exactly the type of instrument that you can test in every shop.

My basic criteria are
- 4-hole instrument
- not too expensive (so a new Egger is not up for discussion)

It would be nice if the instrument had some provision for or simply worked well in A430 and 'historically correct' without ventholes.

I don't care about it being suited for the Brandenburg concerto. Don't plan on playing that in the foreseeable future

Currently, I am looking at instruments from Norwich (https://norwichnaturaltrumpets.com/menu) and Mark Geelen (I am playing one of his istruments for the normal range of keys, https://www.mgtrumpets.com/historic-trumpets.html).

Probably I can also test a friend's instrument from Matthew Parker.

Maybe you played a small baroque trumpet at some point? I am grateful for any shared info!

Best regards
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Interests: baroque trumpet, solo literature, pedagogy

plunkett · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2023 6:50 am Post subject:

I see that one of our members is selling a Naumann set in the exact keys you're looking for. Appears to be a 3-hole, though, not 4-hole.

Pat
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Pat Plunkett

Ludger.S · Regular Member Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Posts: 12

Thanks Pat!

My experience is that the 4-hole instruments in general just seem to better in tune in the low range due to the longer available bell taper.

It's a shame that the Naumann trumpets nearly never show up here in Germany.
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Interests: baroque trumpet, solo literature, pedagogy

Divitt Trumpets · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2023 8:09 am Post subject:

Norwich Natural Trumpets are top notch. I'd go with those 100%
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Ludger.S · Regular Member Joined: 09 Nov 2020 Posts: 12

Thanks for chiming in! Great to get an opinion about Norwich.

What gave me a good feeling about their offer is that they have two different 'high' baroque trumpets models. Tells me that they have a bit of experience and don't just built one every two years.
_________________
Berlin-based freelancer
Interests: baroque trumpet, solo literature, pedagogy

DH · Veteran Member Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 493

I have a Geelen C&D trumpet (440 & 415) and it's a really great instrument. Haven't had any experience with higher keys, though....

michaelbarth · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:47 pm Post subject:

I haven't played the Norwich F/E/Eb horns, but I have one in D-A and it's great in all keys. Here's a video of Caleb Hudson playing Brandenburg 2 on a Norwich....https://fb.watch/iuMWk3TraL/
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delano · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:51 pm Post subject:

Contact Mark, he is great and his core business is the natural trumpet, BTW I play his rotary TARV trumpet:

https://www.mgtrumpets.com/historic-trumpets.html