To many people, the flugelhorn is a unique and interesting instrument. It looks bigger than a trumpet and in some ways it is bigger. It is heavier and has a larger bell. But when stretched out to its full length, a Bb flugelhorn is exactly the same length as a Bb trumpet and cornet. That’s why they are all pitched in Bb. The difference in tone quality between the trumpet and the flugelhorn can be explained in the same way as the difference between a cornet and a trumpet. Both the trumpet and the cornet are the same length but the timbre or tone quality are strikingly different. The cornet has a darker sound and the trumpet has a more brilliant sound. The reason is simple. From the beginning of the lead pipe to the bell, the cornet continues to expand in its inner diameter. The tubing of the trumpet on the other hand remains the same for most of its length and begins to expand only in the bell section. The trumpet’s restricted diameter gives it the more cutting sound and in the case of the cornet, the constant increase in tubing diameter, gives the instrument a darker sound. Another comparison which would illustrate the difference in tone would be to compare the tone quality of the tenor trombone to the baritone horn. Both are the same length but have contrasting tone qualities. The trombone is to the trumpet as the cornet is to the baritone or euphonium.
Now that we understand the reason for the tonal differences of the flugelhorn and trumpet, we now need to understand why the flugelhorn is so popular and also illustrate its use today in the field of music. The flugelhorn came to us from Europe and is a very popular instrument in European bands. Due to the dark quality of its sound it is often used in smooth, lyrical passages. Fanfares are natural for trumpets and the flowing, melodic passages are perfect for the flugelhorn. One of my favorite jazz musicians who helped make the flugelhorn well known was Clark Terry-
If your music leans toward the more Latin style of music, you might enjoy this flugelhorn solo played by Bill Ortiz with Santana
The use of a flugelhorn can also be heard in Classical music as in this performance by Frank Fezishin
Flugelhorns are notoriously out of tune instruments. A three valve flugelhorn has a well deserved reputation for playing out of tune. I say three valves for some of the problems in the intonation area can be improved by the addition and use of the fourth valve. By adding a fourth valve, the player has additional fingerings which could improve intonation on problem notes. Also with the extra valve, the player is able to play notes below the usable range of a three valve instrument. One of my earlier flugels was such an instrument and I found my early Getzen four valve to have the potential to play in tune with the use of alternate fingering. Unfortunately the instrument was extremely heavy and the tone was not as dark as I had expected. My next flugel was a Couesnon and the darkness was pleasurable but the intonation was horrid. Next came a Yamaha and we lived together for many years. While visiting with a good friend one day, he mentioned that the new Conn Vintage 1 flugel was a great instrument so out came the check book and soon came the horn. We have had a great relashionship now and I was perfectly happy with my new found friend. Then it happened. One of the players in my trumpet ensemble brought his new Kanstul flugel to our rehearsal. I have again found the perfect flugel. Unfortunately, I am not able to come up with the price so for now, my Vintage 1 and I will play our parts as best we can. The sound of the Kanstul is as sweet as I have ever heard and the response is effortless. Some instruments seem to play themselves and the Kanstul, as I have found is one of those instruments. I am still in love with my Conn and it has been a faithful friend for many shows. I remember one instance during a Lawrence Welk show I had a very exposed low G at a triple piano volume and it came out every time. That is an example of true love of your instrument.
If you are contemplating the purchase of a flugelhorn in the near future, I recommend the following-
- Check out every make and model you can get your hands on. One way to compare the many styles and make of horns is to go to a music manufacturer’s convention or state music convention. It is better to go where many instruments are available to play.
- If you are interested in a flugelhorn, don’t get one that sounds like a trumpet. You already have one of those. Base your selection on its tone quality first and its intonation second. The quality of the sound is what you decide on first for great intonation means nothing if you don’t like the sound. There are things that can be done to improve intonation on a horn but changing the quality of the sound is nearly impossible and highly impractical.
- The addition of a fourth valve can improve intonation but you should also realize the added weight will soon tire you on long gigs. The improvements that have been made on third slide triggers can work to your advantage and for that reason, I would recommend an easily extended third slide device over a fourth valve unless you want the added lower notes only available with the fourth valve.
- It would be to your advantage to have a flugelhorn mouthpiece with you when you try several brands and models of horns. It is better from a health standpoint as well as a better true comparison of each instrument.
- Your choice of finishes will depend on your choice of looks and sounds. I find the silver will give you a brighter tone than a lacquer finish and for that reason, I always play lacquered flugelhorns. Also due to the fact that I have a lot of acid in my system, my finishes do not last very long on my flugels. But you must realize that you will not be playing your flugelhorn as much as your trumpet.
And no article would be complete without this
Please notice the high D on the bridge……..way flat. But that comes from playing it first valve instead of open. But who am I to complain, everyone knows Chuck Mangione and only a few thousand know me.
In the Branson Trumpet Ensemble, we have made good use of the combination of trumpets and flugelhorns in our arrangements. I have enjoyed mixing the two when ever the need arises.
A good example of four flugelhorns can be heard at http://www.trumpetensemblemusic.com/oh-shenandoah/
An example of one flugelhorn on the bottom and three trumpets above can be heard at http://www.trumpetensemblemusic.com/vivaldi-concerto-for-two-trumpets/
In this example we begin with four flugelhorns and at the end the first part changes to trumpet which gives the arrangement a brighter ending http://www.trumpetensemblemusic.com/free-et-lite-barn-sa-lystelig/
As you can hear, the flugelhorn can change the quality of an ensemble and for that reason; you need to look into the possibilities of adding a flugelhorn to your arsenal.
From my own experience, I would recommend these two very fine examples for your consideration.
http://www.wwbw.com/Kanstul-1525-Series-Bb-Flugelhorn-468115-i1419663.wwbw
or
http://www.wwbw.com/Conn-1FR-Vintage-One-Series-Bb-Flugelhorn-483827-i1440045.wwbw
If you find the cost of these two prohibitive, I would recommend checking out Craig’s List or other similar internet sites for used models of these horns.
Bruce:
As a struggling , but inquisitive, Couesnon flugelhorn (vintage 1974) player- I thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge and expertise you shared.
Frank
I have owned and played several Couesnon Flugels and have enjoyed them.
Currently I play a Conn Vintage 1 and have been very pleased with it.
While playing with Welk’s orchestra I remember the second trumpet had to come in on an exposed low F# at ppp dynamic and it never failed me. I like that feature.
Bruce, be our guest to test our flugelhorn, we are one of most traditional austrian families still making horns on the finest way.
best regards and have a great 2015.
Your offer is much too tempting.
I’ll check out your site and contact you.
Thanks for stopping in and the very best to you and yours for the new year.
Great article. Just back from the Butlins contest in Skegness uk. The adjudicator was John Doyle (flugel with Black Dyke) – he is the 3rd adjudicator to comment on my free flowing tone on flugel so I must be doing something right! I play the Courtois 155R…just a thought. (oh, probably but too big/round sound for dance band or jazz)
Congratulations!
More people should learn the attributes of the sound of the flugel, as well as the beauty of a good cornet.
Sometimes we get too hungup in the trumpet sound and forget there are other cousins in the family.
I would love to hear you play some day.
i have just Bought a CarolBrass “Legend” Flugelhorn model CPL-7200-GSS-Bb-SL it is perfectly In Tune throughout the Range. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed !!!!!
Thanks for the information. I’ll look at it today. When you say it is “perfectly in tune” do you mean low D and C# also?
Thanks for the info! My son (19 yrs old) will be starting college this fall majoring in music performance in jazz studies. He currently is using a Yamaha Xeno Trumpet. Just starting college price is a concern. Do you believe it would be better to buy a used professional flugelhorn or a new intermediate flugelhorn?
Go with a used Pro for there are a lot of cheap imports on the market which are not worth the price.
I love my Conn Vintage One and a used one should be had for about $300.00
Hi let’s talk mouthpieces are you guys using some the same rim as your trumpet M.P.????? I am
Matched rims is always the best if your feel any difference.
In my case, I’ve been switching back and forth so much lately, I seldom think about it. After checking the rims (trumpet, cornet, flugel, trombone) I found that they were all different.
Have you listen to Till Bronner???? What Great Sound
Be sure to check out my article about him.
http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/till-bronner-absolutely-brilliant/
After I posted it, he was kind enough to send me a very nice E-Mail to thank me.
You are correct with your evaluation of his playing.
He is definitely one of my favorite players today.
I have a Couesnon Monpole Star, year unknown. Had the valves redone by Dr. Valve, and they are incredible. I also had trouble finding a mouthpiece that would fit the “French taper” of the receiver, so I ordered a GR adapter receiver, which has solved any pitch problems. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for you information. I remember that my first two flugels were Couesnon and I found one of them to be an excel;lent horn. I found that the other made a very good boat anchor.
big bore vs medium bore?
This really depends on the player.
Big bore means more air and less resistance.
Medium is medium.
For someone with a long thoracic cavity (Long longs or chest area- notice i said long, not big) go for the large bore.
Those with normal lengthed chest, pick the medium.
But, in all cases, try each out before buying.
Hi – i am considered in buying a flugelhorn, i prefer its sound over the Trumpet. The thing is that i do not have Any experience in playing trumpet, flugelhorn or cornet. So My question is, is it a bad idea to start out with the flugelhorn? Is experience with the trumpet important before playing the flugel? 🙂
That is a very fine question to ask at your point in time. If you have not played a trumpet or cornet as yet, and you like the sound of a flugel horn, you should definitely get a flugel! There is no real reason for trumpet players to fist play trumpet and then add a flugel other than they will eventually get tired of the trumpet sound and want to darken their sound or think it is a better jazz instrument than the trumpet. We all started on trumpet or cornet and eventually get the urge to play flugle. In your case, if you start on a flugle, you may never want to switch to a trumpet, unless you are expected to in an ensemble.
My advice, get the flugle and if you ever get tired of it you can always find a trumpet player how will buy it from you. If you are not sure about the flugle, try out some cornets, they also have a darker sound than a trumpet and you can pick those up real cheap!
I am yet to learn a brass instrument, but I want to learn flugelhorn. (I am a pianist and percussionist). I would like to buy a 4 valve for intonation and range. Any suggestions for under $1000 or is it almost essential to pay more than that for a good horn?
Your desire for a four valve is a good one but unfortunately, that will also increase the cost. I would strongly encourage you to stay away from the imports even though they are tempting, cost wise. I have not seen one that is worth the time and effort needed to adjust to cheap workmanship and materials. They look great because the foreign market copies our best horns and puts them out at a fraction of the cost and also a fraction of the quality.
I have been very pleased with my Conn Vintage I and other than a bad job on the laquring, I have nor current plans to replace it.
Although, one of the members of my trumpet ensemble has been using a Kanstul flugel and after playing that one, I am tempted to make a switch.
What I would suggest for you would be to try to find a used Kanstul with only tree valves for the added range is something I would give up in order to play a Kanstul. As far as intonation, the one I have played is well in tune as long as you have a third valve slide lever.
I hope this helps. You will love the sound!
How about bore size & range? Its generally accepted that the .460 bore size blows more easily. All things equal (player, mpc, etc.) which bore facilitates a higher range?
Thank you for this article, insightful and well written.
I’m going to take your advice and get my own mouthpiece to search for my flugelhorn. Could you give me any advice on what to look for?
As a reciprocal sharing, here’s a lil gospel from my hometown played by yours truly (hope you enjoy it):
https://soundcloud.com/smcoger/amazing-grace-mlbsmcc2014
Long-time trumpet player. Now in a jazz quartet that plays mostly kansas city blues, but also some quiet clubs. ‘Been thinking about picking up a flugle. Having read your blog, I feel much better informed. Thanks !