What Brass Instrument Plays the Highest?
The quest to find the highest brass note is like a musical reaching contest between different instruments. While many jazz trumpet players can achieve incredibly high notes, the title of the highest brass note holder goes to the piccolo trumpet. This small instrument is the smallest member of the trumpet family and is pitched one octave higher than the standard B trumpet.
Understanding the Piccolo Trumpet
“Piccolo” means “small” in Italian, so it makes sense that the piccolo trumpet is the smallest trumpet. It’s often not as frequently used in orchestras, despite its significant presence in some notable Baroque compositions. One of the most famous of these is Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, where it has a memorable role.
Paul McCartney of the Beatles even requested a solo on this instrument for their classic song, “Penny Lane.” The dedication to this small brass instrument underscores its unique and important place in both classical and popular music genres.
Extending the Reach of the Trumpet
While the piccolo trumpet holds the record for the highest note on the traditional brass instruments, there are still interesting examples of high notes played by other instruments. For instance, in Bach's Second Brandenburg Concerto, the piccolo trumpet plays to the limits of its range, hitting a concert G5 in the 2nd movement. This note is significant because it showcases the technical prowess required for such high notes.
Even jazz players like Cat Anderson, Maynard Ferguson, and Jon Faddis from Duke Ellington's orchestra and other fewer select players can hit even higher notes, often in a way that is difficult to control or sustain. Anderson was famously noted for his extreme high notes that challenged even the most experienced players, as one English critic mentioned, leaving it to "only a dog could hear, because no one else would care to."
Other Brass Instruments and Their Ranges
While the piccolo trumpet holds the record, it's worth noting that other brass instruments can also produce very high notes. The trombone, for example, is the loudest with 6 acoustic watts, but in terms of pitch, the Bach trumpet, used in the Beatles' "Penny Lane," is a contender. A Bach trumpet is a smaller instrument with modern valves, and its high range is more manageable for professional brass players.
In modern orchestras, the trumpet has the highest playable range of all the brass instruments, a fact that is often taken for granted. However, in the Baroque and Classical eras, trumpets without valves could only play a limited number of notes, mainly in the lower and middle registers. Skilled players could access more notes by playing in higher registers, but these were still challenging and required virtuoso-level performance.
Conclusion
While there may not be a strict "highest note" for all brass instruments due to varying performance techniques and instrument designs, the piccolo trumpet holds the highest place in the traditional brass family. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and the Beatles' "Penny Lane" exemplify the importance of this instrument in both classical and modern music. Understanding the unique capabilities of each brass instrument can help musicians and music enthusiasts appreciate the breadth of possibilities within the brass family.