David Staff: Master Natural Trumpet Maker and Musician 2026

David Staff, a renowned natural trumpet maker and period musician, has died at the age of 68 due to a heart condition. Staff was celebrated not only for his performances as a cornetto player and period trumpeter but also for his exceptional craftsmanship in creating natural trumpets—valveless brass instruments that produce a distinctive, rich sound when played by skilled musicians.

His death marks the loss of a key figure in the early music world, where his instruments and performances enriched the historical performance scene for decades.

Who Was David Staff?

David Staff was a multi-talented musician and artisan. As a performer, he was a founding member of the group His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts in 1982 and served as principal trumpet in Frans Brüggen’s Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. His expertise on period instruments made him a sought-after player in the early music community.

Beyond performance, Staff was deeply involved in instrument making. He began crafting natural trumpets after meeting Frank Tomes, a renowned natural trumpet maker, in the late 1980s. Under Tomes’s guidance, Staff learned the intricate art of making these historical instruments, eventually becoming Tomes’s apprentice in 2009.

The Craft of Natural Trumpet Making

Natural trumpets are valveless brass instruments that were historically used on battlefields and later admired by composers like Bach and Handel. Staff’s workshop, located near Coddenham in Suffolk, was where he transformed flat sheets of brass into these magnificent instruments.

The process was highly skilled: he shaped and soldered tubes, drew them by hand, and created flared bell sections by hammering and swaging them into shape. Each trumpet was a testament to his dedication to historical accuracy and craftsmanship.

Key Aspects of Staff’s Craftsmanship

• Hand-drawn tubes: Staff drew tubes by hand to ensure precise dimensions and tonal quality.
• Hammered bells: He shaped bell sections through hammering and swaging, a technique that gives natural trumpets their characteristic sound.
• Historical accuracy: His instruments were based on historical designs, making them ideal for period performances.
• Apprenticeship: Staff trained under Frank Tomes and later took over the business after Tomes’s death, with help from friend Graham Nicholson.
• Legacy: His apprentice and hand engraver of 11 years will continue the workshop, ensuring the craft lives on.

Comparing Natural Trumpets to Modern Trumpets

Natural trumpets differ significantly from modern valved trumpets. The table below highlights key distinctions.

Staff’s Impact on the Early Music Scene

David Staff’s contributions to early music were twofold: as a performer and as an instrument maker. His work with His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts helped bring Renaissance and Baroque music to modern audiences, while his instruments enabled fellow musicians to perform with historical authenticity.

His natural trumpets are prized by period instrument players for their quality and playability. Staff’s dedication to his craft ensured that the tradition of natural trumpet making continues, even after his passing. The background to this story is set out in Tarek Atoui Turbine Hall Review: Raining Musical Instruments. A related thread runs through Wynton Marsalis Trumpets His Way to Edinburgh Festival. Earlier coverage in Wynton Marsalis Trumpets Edinburgh Festival with All Rise shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

With Staff’s workshop continuing under his apprentice, the legacy of his instrument making will endure. Musicians and early music enthusiasts can look forward to future instruments bearing his influence. Additionally, memorial concerts and tributes are likely to be announced by the ensembles he was part of. A closer look at the same subject appears in Celebrity: latest articles. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Herbert Blomstedt Obituary: Celebrated Conductor Dies at 99. The same theme surfaces in Clem Cattini, Legendary Session Drummer, Dies at 86, which takes a different angle.

For those interested in early music, exploring recordings by His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century offers a way to experience Staff’s artistry firsthand. Context on how this played out before sits in Stephen Shears: Celebrated Piano Tuner and Musician. A companion piece, Teenage Violinist Sofia Demetriades Wins BBC Young Musician 2026, approaches the same subject from another angle.