are cornets easier to play?

[jamesfrmphilly]

are cornets lass fatiguing to play than trumpets?
their bore sizes are often larger.
does the conical bore speak easier than the cylindrical bore?
I'm searching for the combination that will let me practice longer.

[tomturner]

Hi,

In many ways a cornet IS easier to play than a corresponding trumpet . . . most of the time.

Reasons cited include:

1. Greater length of conical bore tubing
2. More turns to the "wrap" in the tubing
3. Bell end closer to the ears for enhanced "player feedback" (psychoaccoustics)
4. Better balance (closer to the body . . . so the APPARENT weight of the horn is reduced . . . sort of like changing the balance of a sea-saw by moving the seat board.

All these reasons are probably somewhat true, but I lean heavier to attribute this fact to #3 and #4.

THE "PROBLEM" WITH PSYCHOACCOUSTICS AND PERFORMANCE/PRACTICE
All performers have experienced the "crash and burn" of sounding great in preparation . . . only to then go outdoors and have a terrible outdoor concert! The "problem" experienced was a psychoaccoustic one for the most part . . .

--Indoors we get our sound immediately bounced back to our ears (listener feedback) and we sound "great" . . . sort of like singing in the shower.

--Outdoors we are not MENTALLY prepared for the "letdown" that occurs when our sound goes out---out------------out . . . and never returns! No "reverb" outside, no "shower effect" . . . just our sudden FEAR that we sound weak and lack "body." Mentally we overblow to try to compensate, and the chain of destructive events begins that causes us to crash!

With the cornet bell closer to the ears, more direct feedback from the horn reassures us things are fine psychologically and so we don't subconsciously end up overblowing!!! Practice is more "fun" too!

HORN WEIGHT AND BALANCE

A trumpet and cornet have to be held away from our bodies by our arms. The farther the center of the horn's gravity is away from the chops, the heavier the apparent weight of the horn becomes. As the weight begins to take its toll it is normal to end up mashing the lips.

MY RECOMMENDATION

If I were dictator of the world, I'd rule that all young students begin on cornets! They are easier to hold (thus reducing the inclination and possibility of mashing the lip and developing pressure problems), easier to really "hear" yourself and funner than a barrel of monkeys to play!

Hope this helps!

Tom

[rich]

I have taught with a good friend for many years.. he just retired last year.. but for the 20 years we taught elementary band together in this school system, I have hundreds of times heard him say that he wished beginners could start on cornet... and actually in his earlier days of teaching back in the 60's and early 70's he did make his kids start out on cornet. I'm sure he would agree strongly with Tom's conclusions about the cornets being FUNNER to play