"Better still, get a pocket trumpet, most of which are, I believe, technically cornets. [...]"
My local music store has a pocket trumpet in stock, but I don't know the price. I've also kind of used up my budget for treats for the present. I believe the difference between a trumpet and a cornet is mostly the bore, which is more conical in a cornet (and fluegelhorn) and more cylindrical in a trumpet. I will know more once I've read that chapter in the book I'm reading: _Horns, Strings, and Harmony_ by Arthur H. Benade (a Dover reprint).
I tried the fluegelhorn they have at said music store and was very taken with it.
"That said, I use my pocket trumpet with my concert pitch Jew's Harps (multitracking of course!) and it sounds just fine."
"Have a listen to the track Domus Terra Winter Mix 2007 at http:www.myspace.com/sedayne"
I will. Thanks for the link (I saw the correction in your next post).
I've got two Jew's harps but I haven't used them very much yet. I was inspired to buy them by the song "Huskin' Bee" by the Yellow Jackets (1930).
"There are a lot of nice inexpensive pocket trumpets around just now, in various colours. A good place to start on this most Folk Friendly of all brass instruments."
One of the books I bought says something about trumpets in different colors being popular in the US (and presumably not in Germany).
"Do you use a Harmon / Wow mute at all? I find these the best for playing quietly, yet expressively - and dropping them just gives them character!"
Yes, I've got one and I like the sound a lot, except it is _very_ quiet. It doesn't have a brand name on it and seems to be made of aluminum. I've also got a straight mute, a practice mute and a "buzz-wow" mute, all made by Humes and Berg. The cup mute is from Emo and is lined with felt.