Kornett

Kornett, or cornet, is a brass instrument in the trumpet family. It is pitched in B-flat (and sometimes C) and shares the valve system with the trumpet, but it has a shorter, more conical bore and a compact, curved shape. The result is a mellower, more rounded tone with a focused upper register. Cornets typically use three piston valves and a standard cup-shaped mouthpiece; the tubing is arranged to produce a distinct blend between trumpet and flugelhorn timbres.

Originating in the early 19th century in Europe, the cornet developed as a conical-bore alternative to the trumpet alongside other valved brass instruments. It quickly found a place in military bands and civil orchestras and later became a staple of brass bands. In the United States, the cornet was central to early jazz in the 1910s–1920s, with prominent players such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Bix Beiderbecke contributing to its popularity and development. Over time the trumpet largely supplanted the cornet in many orchestral contexts, but the cornet remains common in brass bands, wind ensembles, and traditional jazz groups.

Construction and technique vary by model, with professional and student options available. In use, the cornet requires similar embouchure and fingering as the trumpet, but players adapt to its shorter length, conical bore, and intonation characteristics to achieve its characteristic tone.

Repertoire for the cornet includes solo and ensemble works written specifically for the instrument, as well as arrangements of trumpet literature. In modern classical settings, the cornet is typically seen in brass bands and certain chamber and film-score contexts, while the trumpet handles many orchestral roles.