C Cornets
The roots of the cornet family tree reach back around 200 years, when the ancestors of today's models were created based on the post horn. By 1828, the first cornets were in production in Paris, and French composers wrote music for them all through the rest of the 19th century. The colorful history they've had since then has put traditional cornets squarely into band and jazz territory, so it's only natural to wonder if there's a place for the cornet in a modern orchestra - and the answer is yes, that's exactly where C cornets are at home. Compared to Bb and Eb models, C cornets can reach higher volume levels, so they're able to make themselves heard even in the midst of an orchestra.
It's easy to transition to a C cornet from a C trumpet, so if you're a trumpeter looking to diversify your instrument collection, this is the perfect place to start. In fact, C cornets can usually use the same mouthpieces as C trumpets, so if you've got a favorite one you can probably carry it over. That's good news if you choose the Kanstul 1535 Series C Cornet, which comes without a mouthpiece included, leaving you free to choose your own favorite. It's also the C cornet used by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, so you can check them out if you want to hear it in action.
Would you prefer a C cornet that includes a mouthpiece right out of the box? In that case, take a look at the Getzen 3810 Custom Series C Cornet. Designed specifically for orchestral work, it's built using a 4.75-inch one-piece yellow brass bell with fantastic intonation. The 3810 is a free-blowing cornet that's easily playable if you're a beginner and quick-responding if you're a pro. Plus, it comes with a case so you'll have everything you need to get up and running from the moment it's delivered.
The C cornet is a good instrument for any horn player looking to branch out, whether your current horn is a trumpet or a cornet. And of course, you can browse this section for a good upgrade if you're already a C cornet aficionado. Carving out a spot for a cornet to fit in the orchestral lineup is no easy feat, but the C cornet definitely has a handle on it - and the difference is plain to hear in the volume and tone it puts out.
