The cornet is a member of the brass family of instruments, like the more well-known trumpet. Horns, trumpets, trombones, and tubas are all members of the brass family. Bass trumpets in Eb and Bb; trumpets in Bb, C, D, and Eb; the piccolo trumpet in A and Bb; the Bb and Eb cornets; and the Bb flugelhorn are all members of the trumpet family.
Despite the fact that cornet music has been written for orchestras, the trumpet is now used more frequently in orchestras, despite the fact that experts believe it is not an exact substitute. Though both the trumpet and the cornet have treble valves and the Bb versions have the same range, their sounds are distinct. While the trumpet has a brilliant sound, the cornet has a more horn-like and mellow sound. Regardless, both use the overtone series to generate pitches.
Wind ensembles, theater orchestras, and concert bands continue to use the cornet. Dixieland jazz, British brass bands, Salvation Army bands, military and marching bands all use it. Countermelodies are played on the soprano cornet, which is pitched a fourth higher in Eb. Along with Bb cornets, it is a standard part of a British brass band.
Herbert Lincoln Clarke (1867–1945) was a famous cornetist who played in the bands of Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore (also a cornetist), Victor Herbert, and John Philip Sousa. The cornet was played by Louis Armstrong, a famous trumpeter, until 1925. Other notable cornetists include Leon Bismark “Bix” Beiderbecke (1903–1931) and Jimmy McPartland (1907–1991).
Georges Bizet’s Carmen: Suite No. 2, Peter Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Hector Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé are all famous orchestral works that feature cornet. Sir Arthur Sullivan frequently used cornets in the operettas he co-wrote with Sir William Schenk Gilbert.
The first cornet instruction book was written by Jean Baptiste Arban, a French cornetist who also composed a number of solos for the instrument. Herbert Lincoln Clarke not only played the cornet, but also composed for it. Folk songs, waltzes, polkas, and other popular song tunes were included in the popular repertoire.