C and B-flat Trumpets
The B-flat and C Trumpets are the standard trumpets seen. In bands, the B-flat Trumpet is king, whereas the C Trumpet is much more common in the orchestra. The C Trumpet is written at concert pitch, while the B-flat sounds a second lower than written. In professional circles, the choice of B-flat versus C is completely dependent on the player. If a player feels that the sound of a particular passage is better played on the C when it is written for the B-flat, then they play it upon the C. In some regards, trumpet players completely disregard a composer’s intentions when it comes to instrument choice. They have completely abandoned the old F Trumpet in favor of the smaller instruments, irrespective of the composers’ wishes for the bolder sound of the old instrument. Continue reading “C and B-flat Trumpets”