.jpg) Bass trumpet in C with 4rotary valves | |
| Brass instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 423.233.2 (Valvedaerophone sounded by lip vibration with cylindrical bore longer than 2 metres) |
| Developed | Early 19th century |
| Related instruments | |
| Musicians | |
| Builders | |
Thebass trumpet is a type of lowtrumpet which was first developed during the 1820s inGermany. It is usually pitched in 8' C or 9' B♭ today, but is sometimes built in E♭ and is treated as atransposing instrument sounding either anoctave, a sixth or a ninth lower than written, depending on the pitch of the instrument. Having valves and the same tubing length, the bass trumpet is quite similar to thevalve trombone, although the bass trumpet has a harder, more metallic tone.[1] Certain modern manufacturers that sell 'valve trombones' and 'bass trumpets' employ the same tubing, valves, and bell in different combinations; in these circumstances, the bass trumpet is nearly similar to the valve trombone.[2]
The earliest mention of the bass trumpet is in the 1821Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, in whichHeinrich Stölzel'sChromatische Tenor-Trompetenbaß and Griesling & Schlott'sChromatische Trompetenbaß are described. Several other variants were produced through the 1820s and were employed in military bands. Wide-bell versions in 9' B♭ are still used today in Austria and Bavaria under the nameBaßtrompete, and narrow-bell versions in 9' B♭ are used in Italy under the nametromba bassa. They perform no melodic function, but are used solely to fill out harmonies.
Richard Wagner's first intention forDer Ring des Nibelungen was a bass trumpet in 13' E♭, based on the instruments he would have come across during his dealings with military bands. However, while the opening section ofDas Rheingold might indicate the use of such an instrument, the part quickly rises to G♭5, which would be the nineteenth partial on this long instrument; Wagner understoodbrass instruments very well and saw that this was impractical.While it was argued during the late nineteenth century (Oskar Franz:Zeitschrift für Instrumentenbau, 1884) that the instrument in question was actually pitched an octave higher, the instrument actually built by Moritz of Berlin on Wagner's personal instruction for the Munich theatre (according toZeitschrift für Instrumentenbau, 1908) was pitched in 8' C with crooks for B♭ and A and sounded one octave lower than written.[3] The records of Moritz were not preserved, though a wide-bell bass trumpet with military-band proportions in 8' C with B♭ and A crooks does make an appearance in their post-1900 catalogue, whileGebrüder Alexander ofMainz offered a narrow-bore model in either E♭ or C.
The model normally used today is in 8' C with fourrotary valves, and is played by a trombonist owing to the size of themouthpiece. Bass trumpets in E♭ are usually played by trumpeters as the mouthpiece is closer in size to that of the standard B♭trumpet.
Wagner wrote adventurously for his new addition to the brass section, exploiting open and muted effects, and extremes of range and dynamics. The bass trumpet is frequently featured inDer Ring des Nibelungen, playing solos in every register, as well as playing in octaves, unison or harmony with trumpets,trombones, andWagner tubas. Its very distinctivetimbre is easily identifiable and Wagner used this new and unique tone colour extensively. However, as with theWagner tuba and thecontrabass trombone, Wagner's other additions to the opera house orchestra forDer Ring des Nibelungen, the bass trumpet has not become a regular member of the orchestral brass and is seen rarely.
Other composers who have used the bass trumpet in theorchestra includeArthur Sullivan (in theoperaIvanhoe),Richard Strauss (in thetone poemMacbeth and theoperaElektra),Arnold Schoenberg (in thecantataGurrelieder),Igor Stravinsky (in theballetLe sacre du printemps - fourth trumpet doubling bass trumpet in E♭),Leoš Janáček (in theSinfonietta - two bass trumpets in B♭).György Ligeti used the bass trumpet as one of Nekrotzar's "Entourage" instruments in his operaLe Grand Macabre.
The bass trumpet is usually notated in the treble clef. The bass trumpet in C sounds one octave lower than written, the bass trumpet in E♭ sounds a major sixth lower than written, and the bass trumpet in B♭ sounds a major ninth lower than written. Wagner's transpositions include bass trumpet in E, E♭, D, C, and B♭, though players often have parts for the bass trumpet transposed into C to play on the C bass trumpet.[4]
Injazz music,Johnny Mandel became well known as a bass trumpet player, as well asCy Touff andRaymond Premru in the 1950s and 1960s.[5] Jazz trombonistElliot Mason regularly plays the bass trumpet with Wynton Marsalis'sJazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as well as in his own bands.Rashawn Ross regularly plays bass trumpet with theDave Matthews Band and has performed and recorded with Usher, Ludacris, Maceo Parker, Robert Randolph, and Roy Hargrove. His equipment includes a silver-platedGetzen bass trumpet and aVincent Bach Mount Vernon B♭ trumpet.
Salsa musician and trombonistWillie Colón plays aGetzen bass trumpet on several recordings onFania Records.
While the bass trumpet in orchestras is usually played by a trombonist, British trumpeterPhilip Jones performed on the bass trumpet while employed by theRoyal Opera House,Covent Garden.Leonhard Paul plays bass trumpet regularly with Austrian brass ensembleMnozil Brass. Up until late 2006, he played a traditional rotary valve bass trumpet made byGebr. Alexander of Mainz, but now plays a redesigned instrument by Schagerl.Chicago-based bass trumpet player Ryan Shultz plays aGetzen bass trumpet, recording and performing in the progressive jazz scene in Chicago since the 1980s.[citation needed]
Othertrumpets:
