[Tradjazz] Cornet V/S Trumpet

[GeoHunt1 at aol.com]

Hi Bruce:

I am interested in this and will read all entries.  I have always (yes, that 
old) wondered about the difference between a trumpet and cornet.

I have heard that the length of tubing in a trumpet and cornet is the same. 
Is that true?

I have heard the diameter of the tubing in a cornet continuously increases 
from the mouthpiece to the bell.  Is that true?  I've heard the diameter of the 
tubing in a trumpet stays the same.  Is that true?

I think Nick LaRocca, Joe Oliver and Louis Armstrong all started on cornet 
and switched to trumpet.  Is that true?  I think Bix always played cornet.  Is 
that true?  

I just checked some Paul Whiteman records.  Bix was in a 3 member "trumpet 
section" with Bix playing a cornet and the other 2 playing trumpets.  I didn't 
know you could do that.  But why not; same key, same range?  

Did Louis switch to trumpet when he joined the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra?

A quick check at Wikipedia has Buddy Bolden and Freddie Keppard playing 
cornet and Bunk Johnson and Tommy Ladnier playing trumpet.  Does everyone agree 
with that?

All I have noticed is that the cornet seems to have a more "mellow tone" (not 
so shrill) than a trumpet.

But how about that story that Louis saved money from his job picking up coal 
from the streets of New Orleans and went to the pawn shop to buy a TRUMPET 
when he had enough money?

This is a fun one, Bruce, and a lot of us may learn something.  Nothing wrong 
with that.

George