The History of Trumpets

The metal trumpet dates all the way back to the 2^nd millennium BCE in Egypt, when trumpets sounded one or two notes as part of rituals or military exercises. The trumpet was used mostly for military purposes until the Middle Ages, when it gained prominence as a musical instrument. After valves were invented around 1815, the modern trumpet was born. Today, trumpet mouthpieces vary depending on the type of music the player favors – jazz players typically prefer a narrower and shallower mouthpiece, while orchestral players favor a wider and deeper version. While mouthpiece preferences may vary, the use of the modern B flat trumpet is now nearly universal.