Weaklefthand4ever Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 So I was watching some orchestral works performed by the Berlin Philharmonic last night and noticed that the high brass were all using rotary system trumpets. Now this may seem bit naïve, but what are some of the differences between a rotary setup vs a piston setup? Now I am not talking the obvious about mechanics, but more the sound. The rotary seemed a bit..smoother or rounder. Less articulate and "attacky." But I am curious what some of the other more subtle differences are from a players perspective. Again, this a question from a drummer...but an educated one (I actually tune things to a specific pitch before whacking them with a stick,) so my knowledge of brass instrumentation besides the basics needed for music in college is limited. Plus I lost a LOT of brain cells in the 1990's. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSnareDrummer Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Weaklefthand4ever said: Plus I lost a LOT of brain cells in the 1990's. Shhhh. You broke the code. Giving away our secret to supreme drum corps insight over horn players. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weaklefthand4ever Posted October 9, 2021 Author Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) 52 minutes ago, OldSnareDrummer said: Shhhh. You broke the code. Giving away our secret to supreme drum corps insight over horn players. I know LOL. I often tell my students that I only get logical thoughts when the 2 remaining brain cells I have swimming around in my brain collide. Usually, even if they do, it's more like they just rub together and create warmth. I'm pretty sure that's why Britt says that I just randomly smile for no reason. Edited October 9, 2021 by Weaklefthand4ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Continental Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Weaklefthand4ever said: So I was watching some orchestral works performed by the Berlin Philharmonic last night and noticed that the high brass were all using rotary system trumpets. Now this may seem bit naïve, but what are some of the differences between a rotary setup vs a piston setup? Now I am not talking the obvious about mechanics, but more the sound. The rotary seemed a bit..smoother or rounder. Less articulate and "attacky." But I am curious what some of the other more subtle differences are from a players perspective. Again, this a question from a drummer...but an educated one (I actually tune things to a specific pitch before whacking them with a stick,) so my knowledge of brass instrumentation besides the basics needed for music in college is limited. Plus I lost a LOT of brain cells in the 1990's. Thanks! I love this question. Reviewing Black Dyke Band videos, it seems that a portion of their instrumentation is from musicians using older brass instruments....yet so smooth, so fluid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traverbanking Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 If you google "cornet vs trumpet", I think that you will find the answer to your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedrick Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 check out Trent Hamilton on Youtube - he's a kiwi and he discusses all sorts of strange brass instruments - very funny and informative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfcadets Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 (edited) (DELETED) Edited October 21, 2021 by jfcadets Opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTNK Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 On 10/9/2021 at 9:48 AM, Weaklefthand4ever said: So I was watching some orchestral works performed by the Berlin Philharmonic last night and noticed that the high brass were all using rotary system trumpets. Now this may seem bit naïve, but what are some of the differences between a rotary setup vs a piston setup? Now I am not talking the obvious about mechanics, but more the sound. The rotary seemed a bit..smoother or rounder. Less articulate and "attacky." But I am curious what some of the other more subtle differences are from a players perspective. Again, this a question from a drummer...but an educated one (I actually tune things to a specific pitch before whacking them with a stick,) so my knowledge of brass instrumentation besides the basics needed for music in college is limited. Plus I lost a LOT of brain cells in the 1990's. Thanks! Actual answer - to get exactly that smooth and round sound you noticed. It's prefered by a lot of European orchestras - esp German, and for rep which calls for that sound. An article: https://www.curtis.edu/news-folder/spring-2019/sarah-jessen/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowend Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 Rotaries are generally darker and more fluid - more "Teutonic." The C trumpet used in most American orchestras descended from the French and is generally a brighter approach. Things are more homogenized than they used to be, however. Many orchestral sections will pull out rotaries for the German composers. British orchestras traditionally use Bb trumpets. Brass band cornet playing is an entirely different beast. Phil Smith, retired principal of the NY Phil, learned to play in a Salvation Army brass band has such a beautiful singing quality to his sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook'emCavies Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 I love this thread and it was something I needed to read. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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