The history of trumpets is more juicy than reality TV drama and more fascinating than your next holiday mystery novel; so if you think the trumpet is just a shiny, loud instrument in the corner of the orchestra, think again!
From biblical shofars to medieval war horns, the trumpet has played pivotal roles in ceremonies, battles, and, yes, even for some royal show-offs. This isn’t just about music; it’s about a journey through time where the trumpet-shaped moments in history.
Fast forward to the 20th century, and Louis Armstrong makes jazz feel effortlessly cool with his trumpet. The transformations and tales in between are not just music to your ears—they’re history that’ll blow your mind!
From Conch Shells to
Brass Bells
Trumpets may be made of brass now, but they started as nature’s party horns—conch shells and animal horns. Long before your shiny brass trumpet existed, ancient Egyptians were busy blowing on horns made of bronze and copper.
In Jewish ceremonies, the shofar—a ram’s horn—was used for severe occasions. At the same time, the ancient Chinese and Scandinavians made horns, showing that horns were famous everywhere. Talk about a well-traveled family tree!
The Highs and Lows:
Pitch, Tubing, and All That Jazz