A
trumpet is a
musical instrument. It has the highest
register in the
brass family. As a signaling device in battle or hunting, trumpets have a very long history, dating back to at least 1500 BC; they have been used as musical instruments since the 15th century. Trumpets are used in
art music styles, where they are an instrument in the
orchestra and in
concert bands, and in
popular music styles such as
jazz. They are played by blowing air through almost-closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound that starts a
standing wave vibration in the air column inside the instrument. Since the late 15th century they have primarily been constructed of
brass tubing, usually bent twice into a rounded
oblong shape.