Aerophones
Keyed Trumpet
Keyed Trumpet
Brass Winds
Europe
From 1001 to 1900 AD
Video
The keyed trumpet is a brass instrument featuring tone holes covered by keys, allowing players to produce a chromatic scale. This instrument, developed in the late 18th century, was an important step in the evolution of the trumpet, allowing it to extend beyond the natural harmonic series. It is famous for being used in trumpet concertos by composers such as Joseph Haydn and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. The keyed trumpet was popular in the early 19th century but was replaced by the valved trumpet in the 1820s.
History
The idea of applying keys to trumpets to alter pitch dates back to Leonardo da Vinci, who sketched designs in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. However, the practical development of the keyed trumpet occurred in the late 18th century. Viennese court trumpeter Anton Weidinger is often credited with the invention, though other instrument makers were working on similar designs around the same time. The instrument’s popularity peaked around 1800, when Joseph Haydn and Johann Nepomuk Hummel wrote concertos for it. The introduction of valves in the 1820s led to the decline of the keyed trumpet as musicians began to prefer the more versatile valved trumpet.
Construction
The keyed trumpet has tone holes along its tubing, similar to woodwind instruments like the saxophone or clarinet. These holes are covered by pads operated by a key mechanism, which allows the player to produce chromatic notes. Unlike the natural trumpet, which can only play the harmonic series, the keyed trumpet can produce a full chromatic scale. This design expanded the trumpet’s range and versatility in orchestral and solo music.
Playing Technique
The keyed trumpet is played by pressing keys that cover or uncover the tone holes, similar to how woodwind instruments like the saxophone or clarinet are played. Each key raises or lowers the pitch by altering the length of the air column inside the trumpet. Combined with the player’s lip tension and embouchure, this allows the musician to play chromatic passages with ease.
Repertoire
The keyed trumpet was used in two famous trumpet concertos written in the early 19th century: Joseph Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto (1796) and Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto (1803). Both pieces feature chromatic passages and melodic lines that were impossible to perform on the natural trumpet, showcasing the advantages of the keyed design.
Maintenance
Keyed trumpets, like other brass instruments, require regular cleaning and maintenance. The key mechanisms should be oiled and checked for proper operation, while the trumpet’s tubing should be cleaned to prevent buildup. Regular maintenance ensures smooth playing and longevity of the instrument.
FAQ
What is a keyed trumpet?
A keyed trumpet is a brass instrument that uses keys to cover tone holes, allowing it to play chromatic notes. It was developed in the late 18th century and was popular in the early 19th century before being replaced by the valved trumpet.
Who invented the keyed trumpet?
The invention of the keyed trumpet is often credited to Viennese trumpeter Anton Weidinger, although similar instruments were developed independently around the same time in other parts of Europe.
What is the difference between a keyed trumpet and a natural trumpet?
The natural trumpet can only play the notes of the harmonic series by adjusting the player's embouchure, while the keyed trumpet uses keys to alter the pitch, allowing it to play a full chromatic scale.
What are the most famous pieces written for the keyed trumpet?
The most famous pieces for the keyed trumpet are Joseph Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto (1796) and Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto (1803), both of which showcase the instrument's ability to play chromatic melodies.
Why did the keyed trumpet fall out of use?
The keyed trumpet was replaced by the valved trumpet in the 1820s, as valves offered greater pitch control, ease of use, and allowed for more fluid chromatic passages.
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