Flugelhorns

Flugelhorns for Sale

What Is a Flugelhorn?

The flugelhorn is a brass instrument that resembles the trumpet and the cornet but offers a warmer, darker, more mellow sound. It can be heard in British-style brass bands, in some orchestral and chamber music, and in jazz. In that genre, players such as Art Farmer, Clark Terry, Chet Baker, Chuck Mangione, Freddie Hubbard and even Miles Davis adopted the instrument for its uniquely rich and emotional sound, as well as for its free-blowing feel.

What’s the Difference Between a Flugelhorn and a Trumpet?

While both the Bb trumpet and the Bb flugelhorn feature a series of valves and are made from a similar length of brass tubing, key design differences give the flugelhorn its darker, creamier tone and more open feel. To start, the interior of the flugelhorn’s tubing, or bore, is primarily conical, whereas the trumpet’s bore is primarily cylindrical. This means the flugelhorn’s tubing gradually widens in a sort of ice-cream-cone shape, while the trumpet’s bore remains more straight and consistent throughout, giving the instrument its radiant, focused sound.

The flugelhorn also has a larger, wider bell and an overall more compact and ovular design, meaning that the trumpet appears longer than the flugelhorn. The two instruments’ typical mouthpiece designs also differ, with the average flugelhorn mouthpiece being wider and deeper.

Shopping for a Flugelhorn

If you’re looking for flugelhorns for sale, you’ll find options for students, intermediate players and professionals alike at Music & Arts. Popular brands we carry include Yamaha, Antoine Courtois, Jupiter, Schilke, Eastman, XO, B&S, Blessing, Getzen, Adams and Stagg. Browse our collection of flugelhorns for sale online, or stop by one of our 250+ stores. There, an expert associate will help you find the perfect flugelhorn for your budget, skill level and ensemble needs.

Flugelhorn Buying FAQs

What are the considerations when buying a beginner flugelhorn?

When shopping for a flugelhorn suitable for a beginner, here are some key questions to ask:

• Brand Reputation: Is the instrument made by a manufacturer known for producing high-quality flugelhorns appropriate for student ensembles?
• Build Quality: What materials are used? Options like yellow or gold brass are preferred for their excellent tone and durability.
• Comfort: How does the flugelhorn feel when you lift and hold it? Is it comfortable and easy enough to manage?

For hands-on guidance, we invite you to visit one of our 250+ Music & Arts retail stores, where an expert associate will help you find a flugelhorn to fit your experience and budget.

Which brands make the best flugelhorns for beginners and intermediate players?

Brands including Jupiter, Blessing, Getzen, Eastman, Stagg and Allora produce flugelhorns that are well‑suited for beginning and developing players. Music & Arts carries horns by these brands and many others.

Is the flugelhorn easier to play than the trumpet?

Yes and no. The flugelhorn’s free-blowing feel — largely due to its conical bore and deeper, wider mouthpiece — can make it easier for beginners to produce a sound, since it offers less resistance than the trumpet. However, because the flugelhorn’s tone is softer and less focused, the trumpet is better suited to faster, more virtuosic playing and bright, projecting passages.

How should I care for and maintain my flugelhorn?

Like any brass instrument, your flugelhorn requires regular polishing and thorough cleaning, along with consistent oiling of the valves and greasing of the slides. For detailed instruction on maintaining trumpet-like instruments such as the flugelhorn, check out this guide.