The soprano cornet is pitched a 4th higher than the common cornet. The British brass band instrumentation includes one soprano cornet alongside eight or so Bb cornets. The instrument was not much used in France, and this particular instrument was clearly made for the British market.

• Pictures
• Talk by the player
• The sound of the soprano cornet
• History
• Technical details
• References

The mouthpiece in these pictures and recordings is (3476) mouthpiece for cornet (Courtois, Paris, c 1855-60).

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Pictures

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Talk by the player

• about mellow tone quality, unlike modern soprano cornets

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The sound of the soprano cornet

• H. Round, `Theme' of Air Varie, Bluebells of Scotland

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History

• Maker: Antoine Courtois.
• Place: Paris.
• Date of making: 1872-78.
• Serial number: 8443; L501.

Current ownership: On loan to the Collection.

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (2553)

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Technical details

• English name: Soprano cornet.
• Nominal pitch: Eb.
• Overall size: 335; bell 119.
• Sounding length: minimum 913; maximum addition of tuning shank to air-column length 64.
• Bore: tuning-shank at c 30mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 8.5; instrument body at c 80mm from shank receiver (local minimum bore) 8.4; centre of valve cluster at c 399mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (3,2,1) 10.1; 457mm from bell end, c 10.1; c 254mm from bell end, 14.3.
• Diameter of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 9.5 - 8.6.

Technical description: Silver-plated brass. Ligature tuning at mouthpipe. Leadpipe enters 3rd valve casing at 45° right of front; 3rd valve loop leaves from left and returns to left; straight windway though 2nd valve when not operated. Music card-holder fitting with ligature screw.

Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, bottom-sprung, with valve guides at the bottom of each piston and guide keys screwed through the valve cases.

Inscriptions: Inscribed on bell "MEDAILLE / DE / 1RE CLASSE / EXPOSITION / UNIVERSELLE / 1855" in circle and "Médaille / LONDRES 1862 / Exposition Universelle / PARIS 1867 / Médaille d'Honneur / EN ARGENT / ANTOINE COURTOIS / Breveté / FACTEUR DU CONSERVATOIRE NATIONAL / 88, rue des Marais St Martin / Paris / 1ER PRIX / GRANDE MÉDAILLE D'OR / EXPOSITION DE MOSCOU / 1872 / S. ARTHUR CHAPPELL / Sole Agent / 52 New Bond Street / London". Inscribed on bell rim "L501"; on valve casings and caps "1", "2", "3". Stamped inside 3rd valve top cap "8443".

Usable pitch: Old Philharmonic pitch. Mouthpipe can be drawn to allow use at A₄ = 440 Hz.

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References to this instrument in publications

Brass Bulletin No 85, 1/1994, p.15

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© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.

This page updated: 29.10.08