Flugelhorns

Flugelhorns 

A flugelhorn is a shorter brass instrument that resembles a trumpet. It is usually tuned in B♭, but occasionally in C and is used in a number of different musical ensembles.

The bore of this instrument is conical and much wider than a trumpet. This means the sound it gives is much darker and mellower than a cornetor trumpet, but not as mellow as a French horn.

When playing a flugelhorn, the techniques and valve use are practically the same as a trumpet or cornet, which makes it easier for players to switch between instruments.

The flugelhorn usually has three valves, similar to trumpets and cornets, but sometimes come with a fourth valve or rotary valves like many other brass instruments.

The ensembles a flugelhorn is found in include:

• Brass bands
• Jazz bands
• Orchestras
• Concert bands
• Popular music

Notable musical pieces that include a flugelhorn are as follows:

• Igor Stravinsky – Threni
• Ralph Vaughan Williams – Ninth Symphony
• Michael Tippett – Third Symphony
• Bert Kaempfert – That Happy Feeling

The flugelhorn is also featured in jazz music from the 1930s to the 70s and 80s. Many famous jazz musicians are able to play this instrument, as well as trumpets, saxophonesand cornets. Some of these jazz musicians include:

• Joe Bishop – early jazz flugelhorn player in the Woody Herman band
• Shorty Rogers – popular player in the 1950s
• Clark Terry – played in the Duke Ellington orchestra in the 1950s
• Chet Baker – recorded albums playing the flugelhorn in the 1950s and 60s
• Miles Davis – popularized the instrument in jazz
• Freddie Hubbard – prominent jazz player
• Maynard Ferguson – flugelhorn was one of the many instrument he played

There are many accessories available to buy for your cornet, including:

• Hard cases for travel 
• Soft cases for comfort
• Stands
• Mutes
• Mouthpieces
• Valve oil