The natural trumpet, as perfected in the 18th century, could be played as a signalling and ceremonial instrument, but was also capable of expressive melodical performance.

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

The mouthpiece in these pictures and one of the recordings is (3281), mouthpiece, possibly Britain, 19th century, possibly formerly used with the instrument. The mouthpiece in the other recording is (3216), mouthpiece by Kohler, London, mid 19th century.

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Pictures

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Talk by the player

• about playing this trumpet

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The sound of the trumpet

• "Reveille" from Hyde's Trumpet Duty

Hear Crispian Steele-Perkins talk further

Hear Crispian Steele-Perkins play

• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), excerpt from "The Trumpet Shall Sound" from Messiah (1742)

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History

• Maker: John Christopher Hofmaster.
• Place: London.
• Date of making: c 1760.

Specific usage history: Probably one of the instruments acquired by Sir Samuel Hellier (1736-1784) for orchestral use at Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Part of the Shaw-Hellier Collection.

Current ownership: On loan to the Collection.

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (3280)

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Technical details

• English name: Trumpet.
• Type: Natural trumpet.
• Nominal pitch: Eb.
• Overall size: 675; bell 111.
• Sounding length: 2039.
• Bore: minimum (mouthpipe) 10.3; at 1019mm from bell end, c 10.3; at c 236mm from bell end, 14.6; at 11.5mm from bell end, 73.5.
• Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 12.1 - 11.2.

Technical description: Silver; demountable at three ferrules. Distal bow wired to bell.

Inscribed on bell with ornate Hellier family crest, with motto beneath: "PRO REPUBLICA SEMPER"; on bell garland "HOFMASTER LONDON".

Decorative features: Bell garland embossed with foliage motifs; decorated ball with groove; simple turned ferrules. Thin cord binding (not original) to bell and mouthpipe.

Playing accessories: With trumpet banner embroidered with the royal coat of arms as used from 1714 to 1801.

The original red leather case is lost.

Usable pitch: Plays c 20 cents below A₄ = 440 Hz.

Performance characteristics: 11th natural note can serve either for F or Fsharp; octaves need to be lipped in tune; extreme upper register quite hard work.

Lent with, and possibly formerly used with mouthpiece (3281).

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References to this instrument in publications

GALPIN, F.W., HILL, A.F. et al. An Illustrated Catalogue of the Music Loan Exhibition held ... by the Worshipful Company of Musicians at Fishmongers' Hall, June and July 1904. London: Novello, 1909, p.206

HALFPENNY, E. Editorial. Galpin Society Journal, 1965, XVIII pp.3-4

HALFPENNY, E. Notes on Two Later British Trumpets. Galpin Society Journal, 1971, XXIV pp.79-83; plates 9-12, 14a

HELLIER, S. A Catalogue of Musicall Instruments. Galpin Society Journal, 1965, XVIII pp.5-6

SIMON, J. Ed., Handel: a Celebration of his Life and Times 1685-1759. London: National Portrait Gallery, 1985, p.242, item 221

Workshop drawing by R. Parks published by the Collection, 2001 Top of page

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

This page updated: 29.10.08