The keys on trumpets are different depending on what they’re made of. Different kinds of trumpets have different kinds of tubing length, hence, producing varying pitch when there are no valves.
With valves, one is able to alter the tubing length which consequently changes the pitch of notes.
Every trumpet with valves has a home key. A home key is the natural key that it’ll play at when the valves are not pressed. So, if it produces a Bb pitch (concert pitch), then it’s a Bb trumpet.
How do I know what key I’m playing on the trumpet?
One can’t tell the key a trumpet plays on from merely looking at it from a distance. The best way to know the key is by listening and trying to play that same note with the piano.
Usually, this is done by playing the “C” note on the piano and listening to the matching notes on trumpet, which is usually Bb.
Can Trumpets Play In Different Keys?
Trumpets come in a lot of variants. Often, users run out of options on deciding which brand to get based on a list of preferences. The simple answer is Yes! All trumpets are able to play the 12 notes of the chromatic scale.
It’s possible to play any key with any type of trumpet if you learn the scaling well. However, some differences remain. This is because given the build of a particular kind of trumpet, it’ll be easier to play some notes with it than others.
What Key Is a Standard Trumpet?
The standard key for trumpets is the Bb or B-flat major with 3 valves. The reason for this is because brass instruments are made of different tube lengths which makes it difficult to play C on all these instruments.
It’s recommended for beginners but that doesn’t mean it’s low standard – absolutely not. It only gives a good footing of the instrument. Some high end users still use it for classical performances, others who don’t, at some time used it. As one would expect, it’s highly sought after and the most sold of all trumpet types.
Why is it called a Bb trumpet?
The practical and relational reason to this is that when one plays the C key on the trumpet, it matches or sounds as a Bb on concert pitch.
Hence, it’s name -Bb, to note it’s key. This is actually what transposition of notes entails.
Why are the Bb trumpets (Bb keys) most played and most sought after?
Bb trumpets are more widely used than others because they give the right timbre of music and go so well with jazz music.
Unlike most other variants, Bb trumpets are a lot easier to control; this explains why it’s highly recommended for beginning trumpeters. It’s tubing is the largest
Other trumpet keys
The system of naming trumpets correspond to their natural keys. That’s the key they produce without altering the valves. This way, its natural note is compared against the matching note on the piano and noted.
The trumpet comes in various types and thus their keys. What keys are comfortable for you?? What should you expect from other trumpet variants? Sit back and let’s explore a few of them explicitly
-
The C trumpet
It is the second most sold trumpet out there and it’s slightly smaller than the standard B-flat trumpet.
The C trumpet has been around for almost as long as the Bb trumpets being introduced in 1874. Its shorter tubing means that it has a higher pitch and that it communicates with a louder audience. That’s why it’s popular in western musical and classical performances.
Its usage has been vast among professional orchestra instrumentalists. Another good reason for using the C trumpet is because it is much easier to transpose. You don’t necessarily need to transpose to play the same notes as those in a piano
-
The D trumpets
This gained popularity after the Bb and C trumpets and is widely employed in Baroque music. It was invented in 1861 and it sounds remarkably brighter and melodious than the C trumpets.
This is why it’s mostly employed in religious gatherings and when hymns and songs are sung.
-
Piccolo trumpets
These are the smallest of trumpets. Most people mistake piccolo trumpets for pocket trumpets but they vary greatly. It’s highly pitched and sounds higher than the standard B-flat trumpets – it’s actually an octave higher. So, it’s used for religious music.
Piccolo trumpets are distinct in the sense that unlike many other trumpets, it has a fourth valve thus it’s high range down to a low F.
-
The bugle
This trumpet is predominantly used in the military. Unlike other variants of trumpets, it’s valveless – meaning that it has no valves and hence controlling the pitch is solely done by the trumpeter through the embouchure.
It’s simple and yet produces a tremendous sound. Hence it’s usage in the military
-
The slide trumpet
The slide trumpet came into light in the 15th century during the renaissance period. It’s surprising to know that the slide trumpet gave birth to the trombone.
It’s uniquely low toned and just like trombones, uses slides to alter notes and pitch. The slide trumpet is extremely difficult to play but it’s worth the effort
-
The flügelhorn
Have you listened to professional elegies and ballads in any concert? Did you feel lost in emotions? Sure you did. What could have contributed to that was the Flugelhorn.
It was invented in the 1800’s in Germany (its name gave it away). It has a soft and tender tone. It’s able to sustain longer and fuller notes without thinning out. This makes it ideal for ballads
-
The cornet
This is often considered to be close cousins to the trumpets. Most beginners prefer to use this instead of Bb trumpets because it is greatly reduced thus making it easier to hold.
The cornet is rather distinct because it gives a mellower tone and as such it’s mostly considered as a close substitute to the Bb trumpets
Why trumpets are actually designed in different keys
Trumpets are really designed in different keys for a lot of reasons;
- The pattern of design of the trumpets
- Trumpets are designed in keys for specialty sake
- Different trumpets have different sounds that require different keys
- The original key a music was written in
- Trumpets could be designed for specific occasions
-
The pattern of design of the trumpets
One of the reasons the different brands of brass instruments make the different series of trumpets in different keys is because of the pattern of design of the trumpet. So if the trumpet is designed after a pattern, just like the bass trumpet is designed after the pattern of bass, the trumpet too will play the bass key better than any other.
-
Trumpets are designed in keys for specialty sake
One very important thing about trumpets and their designs is the fact that the trumpets are designed in a manner that it serves a particular purpose. The various series of trumpets made by various brands of trumpets are designed in different keys to suite a purpose, that is to say that sometimes trumpets are designed after an existing note.
For instance, a few lines of music could be written for maybe an Eb series of a brand’s trumpet, a player of the trumpet that has the Eb trumpet will play the trumpet well, the trumpet player will just have to play following the keys, that read the music, then play according to the readings or according to the writings of the note.
An attempt to play this particular music on another brass instrument, or on a trumpet that is in a different key, the player of the brass instrument will have to transpose those notes to produce the same music.
So let us assume that the notes of the music were written for the Eb trumpet, and for some reason the Eb trumpet is not within the premises at the time, and maybe a Bb trumpet is available, the Bb trumpet player will have to transpose the notes, that way they are able to play the Eb music on a Bb trumpet.
-
Different trumpets have different sounds that require different keys
Another reason various trumpets are in different keys is simply because the varieties of series of the different kinds of trumpets despite their different brands are designed in a manner that they all sound differently, and by sounding differently, they require different keys. This is simple and practical among humans too, humans sound differently and so while singing, they sing on a different keys, however while singing together, some singers will have to adjust as well as make extra efforts to suit the key required for the song.
So you see, trumpets sound differently, and these keys that they sound in are such that could be required for specific music and so the music has to be best played in that key that it requires. Like we already established, this can be done or achieved either by using the trumpet with the required key, or by transposing notes on the series of the brand of trumpet that is seemingly available to the trumpet player.
-
The original key a music was written in
Another reason for which a trumpet or for which the numerous series of the different brands of the trumpet are in different keys are because they are made to suite the key a music has been written in. And this is so because most of the times, the music could be best played in the key the music was written in.
Let us assume that a music when it was first written, that during the writing of the music, that some fingerings were added, and probably some trills too, and then probably there were also some minute distances between notes that well managed in the writings, such music and such notes are best played with the series of trumpet brands that are designed in a manner that suites the key.
To further explain this, after a music is written in a particular key, it is first read before it is being played which is the right and the normal thing to be done, so while reading the note, the player is able notice the areas where there are variances, and then begin to play accordingly.
Now for instance, if in the written music the instrument was fingered, the player will also ensure to apply the same while playing the music on the brass instrument (the trumpet), so if A is written on a certain part of the note, it will only be well played on the horn of the trumpet that has the same key as the key that is on the note, however if A happens to be horned on a different key, the result is also different from what was written in the writings of the music even with the attempt of fingering them.
However, except it is a key that is closest to the key the music was written in. For instance, when playing in groups, or trying to tune in a group, the Bb kind of trumpet key is mostly used, so if a C is supposed to be played, the C can easily be played on the Bb trumpet, and in the same vein a Bb can be played or is played on the C kind of trumpet.
-
Trumpets could be designed for specific occasions
Another reason for which trumpets are designed in various keys are quite simple. While this is not entirely alien or very different from the points that we have earlier shared here, this reason is also a plausible reason, especially with the creativity and the effort attached to this.
And here is the thing, sometimes the series of trumpets are designed not just to suite a pattern, or for the sake of the specialization of the keys or for any other thing at all, they are designed for several purposes which is different. In this case, the series of trumpets made by a variety of brands can be made basically to serve one purpose, it could be made for just one occasion.
For instance, there could be a plan or a preparation for an ensemble, maybe a jazz ensemble or even an orchestra, and probably a key D is required for the ensemble, the organizers or the brass instrument players who will be playing the trumpet at the event or the occasion can choose to request for a trumpet made in Key D, which will result in sourcing for a company to make such a trumpet, hence an order is placed and a company provides the team of organizers or the team of players with the trumpet that has the key that they require for the music.
In the same vein, a trumpet could just be made for a parade, based on the demand of the occasion, and so with such request or demand, a trumpet will be made for that occasion and this trumpet will definitely be made in a different key, not just a different key, a key that matches with the music that has been written for the particular occasion.
Final Thoughts on Why are Trumpet in Different Keys
The various types of trumpet can come in a variety of keys for a lot of reason like we have already shared in this article. However, the reasons shared here are not the only reasons for which the different brands make a variety of the series of the brass instrument (the trumpet) in different keys. One of such other reason that is not shared in the preceding section where others are shared is luxury. It will be explained briefly in the next paragraph of this conclusive section.
Sometimes trumpets are made in different keys to show off luxury. Because there are keys that sound similar when transposed, but for the sake of luxury and the comfort that comes with luxury, one could decide to not transpose keys, but instead request that a new trumpet be made in the desired key.
Whatever the reason maybe, trumpets are made in different keys with the purpose of getting the best sound of the key all the time.
