Sound character of the Trumpet - Philipp Dangas

Trumpet register table

Trumpet register table graphic can be enlarged. It is Link-Sensitive [Clickable].

Sheet music for the register table of the trumpet

The sound character of the trumpet is shaped by the following factors:

1. Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece of the trumpet is the most important factor in producing the timbre. Please note: the flatter the cup mouthpiece, the more brilliant and rich in overtones the sound.
2.Scale
The ratio between the cross section and the length of the sounding tube. Please note: the tighter the scale, the more brilliant and rich in overtones the sound.
3. Tube
Cylindrical tubes sound brighter and are richer in overtones. Instead, conical tubes sound softer and produce fewer overtones.
4. Bell
Longer and narrower bells make the sound brighter. Shorter and wider bells soften the sound instead.

As part of the „symphonic world music“ The task of the trumpet can be to create contrast. In addition, the use of the trumpet in quiet dynamics is a beautiful example of the gentle creation of contrast.

A beautiful example of the trumpet sound [Music composer: Joseph Haydn]
Download size: 784 kilobytes
The registers and timbres of the trumpet
Register Sound character Range (from – to)
high register Very brilliant, penetrating f 3 [three-line octave] —
gis 2 [two-line octave]
middle register Brilliant, full metallic g 2 [two-line octave] —
(gis) as1 [middle octave]
low register Strong, transparent g1 [middle octave] —
cis [middle octave]
tiefstes Register Dull and dark c1 [middle octave] —
fis [minor octave]

Dynamic effect of the trumpet

Trumpet dynamic table graphic can be enlarged. It is Link-Sensitive [Clickable].

Sheet music for the dynamic table of the trumpet

At the dynamic table shows the different levels of musical dynamics. And in addition to the sound pressure scale measured in decibels, the degrees of strength of musical dynamics are given on the left, which can be understood as "objective" degrees.

Let's look at the diagram drawn to the right of the dB scale. It shows the estimated dynamic effect over the entire tonal range of the instrument. The dynamic effect (volume) as judged (perceived) by the listener.

In addition, the dynamic range of the trumpet in the low register, which is between pianissimo [pp] with 46 decibels [dB] and fortissimo [ff] with 82 decibels [dB] = 36 decibels [dB], is given as an example. In the high register, the range is 8 decibels [dB]. The estimated values can deviate more or less from the "objective" ones.

The deviations are fundamentally different from instrument to instrument. The "objective" degrees of intensity piano pianissimo [ppp]= 40 decibels [dB], p=60 decibels [dB] etc. enable the composer to predict the dynamic effects of different instruments that are sounding simultaneously.

The achievable dynamic range of the trumpet 8-36 decibels [dB]
Degree of intensity high position low position
Fortissimo [ ff ] 90 82
Pianissimo [ pp ] 82 46