The use of cornet instruments is slowly fading in the musical scene due to new developed instruments such as trumpets. However, other musicians are still using the cornet for this instrument greatly earns their trust and respect. Cornets are still widely used by the British and European brass bands these days. There are many instruments that produce sounds similar to the Cornet and this is the reason why it is slowly fading. Presented below are four types of cornets and the distinct feature of each.
Alto Cornets
Cornet instruments alto looks like and plays like a usual cornet. It has a slender tube and a flared ball. What makes alto cornet unique is its wider bore. It produces lower tone sound compared to the standard treble cornet. This specific type of instrument is commonly used in ensembles and grand musical events.
Tenor Cornets
The tenor instrument is also referred to as the lizard. This one is really popular during the Baroque and the Renaissance Period for most musicians in the periods found it good. When described physically, the tenor or lizard has a range of two and a half octaves. It is tuned at C key and the lowest note it can produce is the A C. Professional users of the tenors usually push the instrument in order to achieve higher octaves.
Bass Cornets
These cornet instruments produce sounds and tones similar to other wind instruments. However, the bass is continually replaced by the serpent and trombone. It plays an octave lower than the standard ones and can create low lying parts in the tenor clef C.
Mute Cornets
If the alto contains a wider bore, the mute cornet instruments have a thin bore with a conic shaped mouthpiece located at the top. It has a number of holes in the body and has a tapered and straight design. It creates soft sounds and is used together with flutes, recorder and viols.