Flugelhorn

About flugelhorns…

The flugelhorn, also called fiscorno, is a musical instrument belonging to the brass family, very similar to the trumpet and tuba in its shape, parts, composition, and size.

The flugelhorn is characterized by producing soft and delicate melodies, and the musician responsible for playing it is called a flugelhorn player.

Furthermore, it is one of the youngest musical instruments and, therefore, one of the last to be introduced into the symphony orchestra.

Context and some history

The flugelhorn was designed in the 19th century by adding pistons to the bugle in a historical context of human devotion and connection to music. Specifically, it was patented in 1811, known under the pseudonym of Joseph Halliday. It was another 21 years before Michael Saurle integrated the key system into the instrument in 1832. It was an instrument commonly used during hunting seasons and in the military, beginning its spread in Germany and extending to the rest of Europe.

During the 19th century, many renowned composers such as the Russian Igor Stravinsky and the Italian Ottorino Respighi began to use it in orchestral performances.

Characteristics and main parts of flugelhorns

The flugelhorn consists of a narrow cone-shaped tube, almost 1 centimeter in diameter, ending in a wide bell about 20 centimeters in diameter. Its length is 1 meter and 35 centimeters, although it takes up much less space when coiled upon itself.

As in most brass instruments, the characteristic parts of the flugelhorn are:

- The mouthpiece

A piece used to introduce the air column into the body of the instrument. It requires a minimum blowing technique to close the mouth properly over the mouthpiece so that no air is lost.

- The valves

They serve as a mechanism like buttons, which when pressed allow us to modify the notes of the instrument

- Metal tubing

The place through which air is transmitted from the mouthpiece to the bell.

- Bell:

Also called the pavilion, it is the outermost part of the instrument, where the final sound is amplified and emitted.

Differentiating a flugelhorn from a trumpet

There are 3 key aspects that allow us to distinguish these two very similar musical instruments:

The shape

Despite being very similar, the trumpet is slightly more elongated.

The mouthpiece

The diameter of the flugelhorn's mouthpiece is slightly larger, while the lead pipe is relatively shorter than in the case of the trumpet.

The sound

This is a differentiating aspect that requires a good musical ear. Basically, the trumpet produces a clearer and brighter sound than the flugelhorn, which generates a somewhat darker and warmer sound.

The sound and musical genres of the flugelhorn

The flugelhorn is characterized by a dark, round, and sweet sound (especially compared to the cornet or trumpet). The fingering and maneuverability are similar to that of the trumpet and it is somewhat more difficult to control in its high register.

Normally, the flugelhorn is tuned in B flat, one tone lower than the tuning indicated on the staff (a characteristic of transposing instruments).

It is an instrument widely used in military bands (especially in the USA), in coblas, and in jazz music.

How the flugelhorn works

The flugelhorn, like the rest of the brass instruments, produces sound by blowing air through the mouthpiece (producing a kind of "raspberry"). The airflow then travels through the metal body of the musical instrument while different pistons are pressed to configure certain musical notes. Finally, the sound is emitted and amplified through the final bell of the instrument.

Generally, it is recommended to warm up the instrument inside,