Our instrument of the month for February is the popular and melodic cornet. We sat down with Hannah McGuffie, Senior Marketing Manager for History and Science and lifelong cornetist, to talk about the joys and challenges of the instrument.
When did you first start learning to play the cornet?
I was 7 or 8 – you can start playing a cornet when you get your adult front teeth!
What first made you choose the cornet?
My older brother played a cornet, and where I grew up brass banding is very popular, so a lot of my friends played brass instruments too. The local schools also had a very good music service so I had lessons in primary and secondary school.
Do you play in any ensembles, bands, or orchestras?
Yes, I play in a brass band in Kidlington. We play concerts throughout the year and compete against other bands in the local area. We rehearse twice a week.
What has been your most memorable concert and why?
There are a lot to choose from, but I think the most memorable has to be my wedding. My band travelled all the way up to Saddleworth to play at the ceremony and then at the reception afterwards. Someone just ‘happened’ to have a spare cornet and so I was forced to join in with a few numbers in all my finery. I think all the guests enjoyed it though (and I did too).
How do you prepare for a performance or concert?
We often have a lot of extra rehearsals and also separate rehearsals by section as opposed to full band rehearsals, so it can be quite intense. A good warm up beforehand is advisable, as you can be performing for over two hours with very little break in between pieces.
What are your fondest musical memories?
I have a lot of fond memories of the Whit Friday contests back home, people cheering you down the street and seeing famous bands playing for free.
What is your favourite piece to perform?
I really enjoy overtures and classical pieces, as I find them more relaxing than hardcore brass band marches. It’s also fun to play more modern things too though, to lighten the mood, especially at concerts – we have a Tom Jones medley that goes down rather well.
Do you get nervous before a performance?
Sometimes – it depends if I have a tricky couple of bars to play, or if I am playing a solo. I get quite nervous playing the Last Post on Remembrance day as there’s nowhere to hide on that one.
What is the most challenging thing about playing the cornet?
You have to practise a lot to keep your standard of playing up, which as you get older (I find) is a lot harder when there are lots of other pressures on your time.
What advice would you give to someone starting to learn the cornet?
It’s a very versatile instrument, and if you decide you prefer swing/ big band music, you can always switch to a trumpet. Reading music generally is a great skill to have, and it is a good instrument to learn on.
Featured image credit: Cornet by r.g-s, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr.
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