About jazz and cornets...

[TrumpetGod]

I use a Cornet regularly in my schools jazz ensemble, and my teacher has never one bugged me about not having an official "Trumpet." However, I'm worried that in the future I may have to find a good trumpet for a teacher that won't accept a cornet in a jazz ensemble. Does anyone think this might happen? Suggestions...
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1942 King Cleveland Cornet
1968 King Tempo Cornet

[Jason Palmer]

Nat Adderley.

[ralphnz]

I'm a big fan of jazz cornet. It's just so... so intimate. But it's more suited to small group jazz (playing anything from dixie to bebop - I've even recorded a little bit of funk cornet), rather than something like a big band, where you really do need a trumpet so you can be loud and obnoxious - though I guess there's nothing wrong with doing a little solo work on cornet. Or you might get lucky and never play for a band that picky.

Then, if you're mic'd, that's another story (and it willbe a story when Tom Turner gets his hands on this thread...)

[Don Herman rev2]

[alanbach]

Click on this link and tell me that the cornet doesn't fit in http://www.libertystreet.co.uk/ ......make sure your speakers are on......I know Marcus very well and he tells me that the group prefer him using the cornet than the trumpet.

[Vince_In_Milan]

[plp]

Er, the cornet IS the correct choice for jazz. Or rather, the traditional choice. Bix, Louis, Al, all started their jazz careers on cornet.

If you want a more INcorrect sound, go with a c cup mouthpiece. If that is what the director wants, even though it is wrong, so be it.

[Robert Rowe]

This discussion has merit. Oft times, it has been debated here on the Forum.

In preferring to use a Cornet, you will establish yourself as an unsequacious musician; and establish your own sound and style ... not an easy task, these days.

Keep in mind, however, there are limitations (as with any instrument) ... "projection" may be an issue, at times. Generally, if you have to "blow your brains out" (to be heard), or are playing outdoors on a breezy/windy day, tone won't matter, regardless of the horn.

Mouthpiece selection is important (as noted by a previous poster); you can sound like a Trumpet, if desired.

Keep your options open. Most serious Trumpet players own a Cornet, and have determined the specific applications of each.

Robt
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~ Love animals ... don't eat them. ~

I miss Genghis Khan ....

[PH]

[PH]

[lh]

I keep two Warburtons set up for cornet, one 5BC/BC10 for traditional cornet sound and one 5MD/KT* for tradjazz/dixieland sound. That second mouthpiece will change the projection characteristics of my B&H cornet a great deal, to the point where it makes a fine small pit orchestra horn, and almost to the point where you coulld get away with playing some big band lead on it if you really had to.
_________________
Eclipse Enigma Bb trumpet 2011
Olds Super Bb trumpet 1958
Eclipse Red Flugelhorn 2011
Selmer Paris model 59 Piccolo 1977
Conn New Invention Cornet 1913

[Robert Rowe]

[Robert Rowe]

[PH]

[PH]

OK, now I know what it means, but can't understand the relevance.

All I know is that a working jazz musician pretty much has to play trumpet in a big band (in order to get paid and get called back) and musicians who play cornet in a modern jazz combo are in the minority (not that that's a bad thing).

[Robert Rowe]

Hello, PH (seems like I'm having dialogue with a human litmus-test ) --

You may be correct ... then, again ....

I, for one, would like to know Trumpet-players are willing to broaden their "horizons" a bit.

Not quite like the "blind-leading-the-blind", but I think you may agree -- there seems to be a fairly "set-in-stone"-mentality regarding conformity to "today's sound". Hence, the "sequacious" inference.

I believe someone may come along, perhaps soon, and change the way we perceive "today's sound". Nothing revolutionary -- just different.

Would be nice ... for a change, at least.

Robt
_________________
~ Love animals ... don't eat them. ~

I miss Genghis Khan ....

[bunny]

Rex Stewart and Ray Nance both seemed to make it OK with the Duke.
Ever heard "Tootin' thru' the Roof"? Rex keeps up with Cootie just fine.

[pfrank]

Stan Kenton would have liked the idea of a cornet section...with a simple switch to a funnel mp, he could have lost that mellophone section and kept costs down and intonation accurate...
...to answer the question simply (and it has been answered well above), if you find yourself in a regime that requires trumpet, you'll need a trumpet. If you stay away from such environments you will not be questioned. The projection issue becomes relevant in high sound pressure commercial situations (includes big band, show bands, rock/funk/klezmer/ska bands).
Warren Vache is another jazz cornetist, and he is breathtaking. I believe he plays trumpet too...

[PH]

Robert-

Not to get too basic

I think if that kind of paradigm shift is going to happen it will have to be a composer, rather than a trumpet player, who includes the cornet in the new palette of acceptable sounds for the modern big band section. This might mean that someone starts writing for it as a double (the way we use the flugel these days) or it might be someone truly radical--like Ellington--who decides to write for a band as a collection of individual voices which happens to include cornet(s).

Regardless, from a purely practical point of view if one wants to have a career that includes playing in a modern big band one has to play trumpet. For big band the trumpet is primary, flugel is the double, and the cornet is for solos only--if at all.

[PH]