Soprano cornet

The soprano cornet is a transposing brass instrument similar to the standard B♭ cornet but smaller and pitched a fourth higher in E♭.

Soprano cornet

An E♭ cornet
Brass instrument
Classification	Wind Brass Aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	423.231[1] (Valved aerophone sounded by lip vibration featuring a conical bore)
Developed	19th century[citation needed]
Playing range
(concert pitch[2])
Related instruments
Cornet Trumpet Flugelhorn Bass trumpet Flumpet

History

The soprano cornet was invented around 1844, as an easier to play replacement for the soprano saxhorn. In the twenty years after its invention the soprano cornet was often pitched in D♭ instead of the modern E♭. In 18-man bands there were often two soprano cornet players, with a majority often playing in D♭ and the others in E♭.^[3]

Playing technique and sound

The soprano cornet often has issues with intonation and over-blowing.^[3][4] The soprano cornet has been described as having a "descant sparkle" by the Saskatoon Brass Band.^[5] It is harder to play than a B♭ cornet due to having a smaller mouthpiece, and it produces a lighter and airier sound.^[6][7] It has also been described as having a "wispy, flute-like" sound.^[3] It is similar to the standard B♭ cornet but smaller and pitched a fourth higher in E♭.^[8]

Ensembles

A single soprano cornet is usually seen in brass bands and silver bands and can be found playing lead or descant parts in other musical ensembles.^[6] They can be heard clearly among a groups of B♭ cornets.^[5]

Notable players

Notable players of the soprano cornet include Charlie Cook, John Distin, Paul Duffy, and Peter Roberts.^[3][6]

Further reading

• Introduction to the E♭ soprano cornet by Bram Gay original from Sounding Brass, Issue 6, 1977.