Flugelhorn

What it means

The flugelhorn is the soprano instrument of the Bügelhorn (saxhorn) family, tuned in B♭ and notated transposing: a written c′ sounds as B♭. Its tube is more strongly conical over the whole length than that of the trumpet and cornet, the bell wider, the mouthpiece more deeply cupped. From this follows the characteristic sound — soft, round, dark-coloured, with little sharpness in the high register and a gentle response. The range corresponds to that of the trumpet, but the extreme high register responds less securely.

Musical use

In the concert band and the brass band, the flugelhorn is the instrument for the sustained, singing melodies, where a trumpet would seem too hard. In folk and light music it is firmly anchored for the same reason. In jazz it has established itself since the middle of the twentieth century as a solo voice of its own, prized for its soft, restrained sound in slow pieces. In the symphony orchestra it is a guest and is called for only when a composer expressly seeks this colour. It differs from the cornet through the still wider bore and the correspondingly softer tone.

Performance practice

Use a deep, conically tapering mouthpiece; a trumpet mouthpiece makes the sound narrow and takes away the instrument's point. Work with a broad, calm airstream and soft tonguing so that the tone does not seem struck. Intonation is tricky in certain valve combinations — check especially the notes with first and third valves and use, if available, the adjustable slide or a fourth valve. In the high register restraint is advisable: what sounds effortless on the trumpet quickly becomes pressed here. Empty the condensation regularly and keep the valves moving smoothly.

Remember that the instrument sounds especially beautiful at quiet dynamics and has its task precisely there: whoever treats it like a trumpet wastes its individuality. Practise long notes in piano and take care that the tone begins without an audible tongue stroke. In combination with trumpets, an agreement on vibrato is worthwhile, because differing habits make the texture fall apart. Check the tuning again after warming up, since the wide bore reacts markedly to temperature.