I have a question that I've wondered about for about 50 years, but have never thought to ask when I was around somebody who might know, I'm sure there are Mudcatters out there who might help me with it.

As a kid I played trumpet and the model I had was alternately referred to as a B-flat trumpet or B-flat cornet. I know there are also C trumpets and E-flat trumpets and I know other instruments are given similar designations.

My question is, what does that B-flat refer to? It would seem logical that it would refer to the tone produced in an open position, but with no valves pressed the notes most often produced are, in ascending order, C, G, C and E — which is a C chord.

So why was it called a B-flat cornet? Or did my band director not recognize and/or understand something and this was really a C trumpet?

I've tried to Google out an explanation, but I haven't found a site that bothers with such arcane info. A Trumpet for Dummies-level explanation would be much appreciated.


cheers,

david