Nice choice, the cornet is one of the most popular brass instruments. The cornet is a high pitched brass instrument and is the second smallest (behind the soprano cornet) in a brass band.

Interesting cornet facts

• Sometimes mistaken for the trumpet, the cornet has had a fascinating and diverse history and is used in numerous ensembles like wind bands, brass bands, and the symphony orchestra.

• At four and a half feet long, the cornet is a more compact and shorter instrument than its cousin, the trumpet.

• During ANZAC day you will most likely hear the cornet playing the Last Post.

• Unlike the cylindrical trumpet the cornet is a conical bore instrument. This means that the diameter of it’s tubing gradually increases throughout the length of the tubing. This gives the cornet a more mellow sound compared with the focused sound of the trumpet.

• The trumpet and the cornet have very similar sized mouthpieces, so many players play both instruments.

• There are nine cornets in a standard sized brass band which is the most of any instrument.