Slide trumpet
Encyclopedia
The slide trumpet is a type of trumpet
that is fitted with a slide much like a trombone
.
The slide trumpet grew out of the war trumpet as used and developed in Western and Central Europe: Don Smithers
in The Music and History of the Baroque Trumpet before 1721, argues that the slide grew out of the detachable leadpipe
, and separated the use of the trumpet as a dance instrument from the trumpet as a signaling device in war.
There are several types of slide trumpet of different places and eras.
, the Renaissance slide trumpet, and the Baroque slide trumpet.
Originals were probably pitched in D, to fit with shawm
s in D and G, probably at a typical pitch standard near A=466 Hz.
As no instruments from this period are known to survive, the details - and even the existence - of a Renaissance slide trumpet is a matter of some conjecture, and there continues to be some debate among scholars.
Some slide trumpet designs saw use in England in the 18th century.
in "Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary"; this had a double slide fitted in the second and third yards, moved by the left hand.
The English Slide Trumpet of the nineteenth century, had the same slide arrangement as the Flatt Trumpet; there were a few other slide trumpets made, one in France, one other in England during this time, none of which were as successful.
is the most recent example of a slide trumpet, and first went into production in 1983. It is a three-valve trumpet with an angled bell and the addition of a trombone-style slide. It was invented by jazz musician Maynard Ferguson
(who first commissioned and played the instrument) and instrument designer Larry Ramirez. While still a specialist instrument, it has a slowly growing number of players.
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
that is fitted with a slide much like a trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
.
The slide trumpet grew out of the war trumpet as used and developed in Western and Central Europe: Don Smithers
Don Smithers
Don Leroy Smithers , music historian and performer on natural trumpet and cornetto. He is a pioneer for the revival of the authentic, uncompromised natural trumpet.-Biography:...
in The Music and History of the Baroque Trumpet before 1721, argues that the slide grew out of the detachable leadpipe
Leadpipe
In a brass instrument, a leadpipe is the pipe or tube into which the mouthpiece is placed.For example, on the illustration of a trombone, the leadpipe would be between #3 and #4, the mouthpiece and the slide lock ring. In the illustration of a French horn, the leadpipe is #2.Some instruments have a...
, and separated the use of the trumpet as a dance instrument from the trumpet as a signaling device in war.
There are several types of slide trumpet of different places and eras.
Medieval slide trumpet
The Medieval slide trumpet, which developed from the war trumpet, and which developed into the tromboneTrombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
, the Renaissance slide trumpet, and the Baroque slide trumpet.
Renaissance slide trumpet
Deriving from early straight trumpets, the Renaissance slide trumpet was essentially a natural trumpet with a sliding leadpipe. This single slide was rather awkward, as the entire corpus of the instrument moved, and the range of the slide was probably no more than a major third.Originals were probably pitched in D, to fit with shawm
Shawm
The shawm was a medieval and Renaissance musical instrument of the woodwind family made in Europe from the 12th century until the 17th century. It was developed from the oriental zurna and is the predecessor of the modern oboe. The body of the shawm was usually turned from a single piece of wood,...
s in D and G, probably at a typical pitch standard near A=466 Hz.
As no instruments from this period are known to survive, the details - and even the existence - of a Renaissance slide trumpet is a matter of some conjecture, and there continues to be some debate among scholars.
Some slide trumpet designs saw use in England in the 18th century.
Baroque slide trumpet
The Baroque Zugtrompete aka tromba da tirarsi, a surviving example of which exists in a German museum, had the slide fitted in the first yard, before the first bow.Flatt trumpet (English slide trumpet)
The English Flatt Trumpet, used by PurcellPurcell
Henry Purcell was an English composer.Purcell may also refer to:*Purcell, Indiana, an unincorporated community in Johnson Township, Knox County, Indiana*Purcell, Missouri, a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States...
in "Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary"; this had a double slide fitted in the second and third yards, moved by the left hand.
The English Slide Trumpet of the nineteenth century, had the same slide arrangement as the Flatt Trumpet; there were a few other slide trumpets made, one in France, one other in England during this time, none of which were as successful.
Firebird trumpet
The Firebird trumpetFirebird (trumpet)
The Firebird is a type of trumpet with the standard three valves and the addition of a trombone-style slide. It was invented by Maynard Ferguson and Larry Ramirez and remains an exceptionally rare, specialist instrument. They are occasionally produced by Holton.-History:Instruments equipped with...
is the most recent example of a slide trumpet, and first went into production in 1983. It is a three-valve trumpet with an angled bell and the addition of a trombone-style slide. It was invented by jazz musician Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
(who first commissioned and played the instrument) and instrument designer Larry Ramirez. While still a specialist instrument, it has a slowly growing number of players.