One of the oldest musical instruments dating back to 1500 BC, the trumpet has the highest register in the brass family. The instrument is played by closing one’s lips and blowing air to produce a buzzing sound.

Primarily made of brass these days, through history trumpets have been made of bronze and silver in Egypt, Scandinavia, Peru, and Central Asia. Trumpet players were often among the most prized members of a troop as they were responsible for relaying military instructions to other sections of an army.