Trumpets are among the most well-known musical instruments yet it is also one of the least understood. People are aware that it is a wind instrument that you would need to blow on and control through valves. Apart from these, the public is quite clueless. This is unfortunate as trumpets are actually incredible devices that have proven to be extremely useful throughout history. Let us take a close look at this highly creative human invention to figure out what makes it so special. Perhaps you can walk away with renewed appreciation for the apparatus and even consider taking formal lessons.
Volume
The first thing that anyone will notice upon hearing a trumpet up close is its volume. These can be extremely loud. Unlike guitars, you don’t need any amplifiers or other contraptions to increase the volume. The sound can fill a whole arena by itself. This is exactly the reason why these were used in fields of battle hundreds of years ago. They could be so loud as to overpower even the drums. This ensured that command signals could be heard by the entire army in an open field where human voice would hopelessly dissipate in the wind. In modern concerts, these may be heard by the whole arena with impressive clarity.
Versatility
Trumpets may seem like simple contraptions but they are actually quite complicated and extremely versatile. Sure, they don’t have the range of a grand piano but they can hold their own when it comes to musicality. Flutes have several holes and clarinets have many more valves to press but these differences do not matter. There are only three valves in most cases but these can be manipulated into producing up to 45 notes. They are good enough to play the melody in most ensembles, providing a strong resonant sound for the rest of the musicians to follow. They can be played for almost any musical genre from jazz to pop to rock. They are also small and easy to transport. Use them indoors or outdoors with no worries.
Difficulty
While the instrument is naturally loud, it takes a great deal of skill and experience to take it to the heights of its potential. Seasoned players put a lot of energy into every performance because trumpets are extremely demanding. Facial muscles get a massive workout as players try to pump out strong and resonant notes in sequence. Unlike electronic devices, the sound is never synthesized and each note requires hard work. Trumpeters also need to be aware of the other instrumentalist and adjust accordingly to their pace.
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