About the Cornu
Communication during battle could be difficult--if not impossible--with all that noise and chaos. The Romans made up a way to do so, though, using this Cornu to encode a general's orders into signals and send them over the field. This very impressive instrument consists of a long horn (historical pieces usually measure about a whopping 9 feet long) that is curved into the shape of a C, which allows the Cornican (horn blower) to carry most of the Cornu's weight on his shoulder. The horn also features a crossbar that keeps the instrument stiff, here represented as a hardwood grip that stretches across the horn's big open gap. This crossbar also gives the Cornican a good place to hold the Cornu, supporting all that weight even more. The Cornu is an impressive example of Roman abilities, offering a very easy solution to communicating even over the noisy battle with loud and clear sounds; all come from this amazing instrument.
Cornus were made of brass or copper, and the mouthpieces were made of bronze. The mouthpiece on the Cornu is about the size of a trombone’s mouthpiece, and the instrument size is similar, so it probably sounded low like a trombone--without the slide. A Roman Cornu would be a threatening roar on the battlefield. It would have encouraged the warriors to be fearless in their battle. Cornus were used not only in war, but also in arenas--to get the crowd’s attention. In Roman art the Cornu appears with the instruments that go with games or gladiator battles in the arena. The Roman army also made use of a straight trumpet called a tuba, which was nothing like the modern version. Several Cornus were also found in the ruins of Pompeii.
The military writer Vegitius described the use of a horn to give signals:
“The music of the military consists of Trumpets, Cornus and Buccinas. The trumpet sounds the charge and the retreat. The Cornus are used only to regulate the motions of the colors; the Trumpets serve when the soldiers are ordered out to any work without the colors; but in time of action, the Trumpets and Cornus sound together. The ‘classicum’, which is a particular sound of the Buccina or horn, is appropriated to the commander in chief and is used in the presence of the general, or at the execution of a soldier, as a mark of its being done by his authority. The ordinary guards and outposts are always mounted and relieved by the sound of trumpet, which also directs the motions of the soldiers on working parties and on field days. The Cornus sound whenever the colors are to be struck or planted. These rules must be punctually observed in all exercises and reviews so that the soldiers may be ready to obey them in action without hesitation according to the general's orders either to charge or halt, to pursue the enemy or to retire. For reason will convince us that what is necessary to be performed in the heat of action should constantly be practiced in the leisure of peace.”
Key Features:
• An Ancient Brass War-Trumpet
• Was Often Used To Signal the Roman Army
• Features a Crossbar to Support the Instrument's Weight
Cornus were made of brass or copper, and the mouthpieces were made of bronze. The mouthpiece on the Cornu is about the size of a trombone’s mouthpiece, and the instrument size is similar, so it probably sounded low like a trombone--without the slide. A Roman Cornu would be a threatening roar on the battlefield. It would have encouraged the warriors to be fearless in their battle. Cornus were used not only in war, but also in arenas--to get the crowd’s attention. In Roman art the Cornu appears with the instruments that go with games or gladiator battles in the arena. The Roman army also made use of a straight trumpet called a tuba, which was nothing like the modern version. Several Cornus were also found in the ruins of Pompeii.
The military writer Vegitius described the use of a horn to give signals:
“The music of the military consists of Trumpets, Cornus and Buccinas. The trumpet sounds the charge and the retreat. The Cornus are used only to regulate the motions of the colors; the Trumpets serve when the soldiers are ordered out to any work without the colors; but in time of action, the Trumpets and Cornus sound together. The ‘classicum’, which is a particular sound of the Buccina or horn, is appropriated to the commander in chief and is used in the presence of the general, or at the execution of a soldier, as a mark of its being done by his authority. The ordinary guards and outposts are always mounted and relieved by the sound of trumpet, which also directs the motions of the soldiers on working parties and on field days. The Cornus sound whenever the colors are to be struck or planted. These rules must be punctually observed in all exercises and reviews so that the soldiers may be ready to obey them in action without hesitation according to the general's orders either to charge or halt, to pursue the enemy or to retire. For reason will convince us that what is necessary to be performed in the heat of action should constantly be practiced in the leisure of peace.”
Key Features:
• An Ancient Brass War-Trumpet
• Was Often Used To Signal the Roman Army
• Features a Crossbar to Support the Instrument's Weight
To make my Cornu, I started by thinking about what it would be made of. Copper was too expensive. Any kind of metal would not work. I started thinking about the shapes of the parts I would need. Then I planned to buy a cone of some sort, a crossbar,(probably wood) and some kinda tube. I found a funnel in the Auto Parts section, and soon found a wooden dowel and a tube. I also got a trombone mouthpiece from my Mom. I had to put a long, thin piece of copper into the tube to keep it stiff. Then I put everything except the mouthpiece, which I would not be painting, onto it. I used primer, then painted it gold. Later, I improved it by giving it another coat of paint. The next day, I painted the crossbar a rich brown. I was now able to put on the mouthpiece and go BLAAAT!!!
Me with my home-made Cornu.
I wanted to show the Cornu playing a song, so I made a video of me playing it. Since the Cornu is a military horn, I decided to play Taps. This song is used in the military. It ended up being very hard to play it, but I hope you will be able to recognize it.
cornu_taps.mp4 | |
File Size: | 3236 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |