Modern instruments are made of brass and have valves to allow the player to play a full range of notes. The sound of the trumpet is produced by the lips as they vibrate in the mouthpiece. It is different from the cornet in that the tubing for the trumpet is cylinderical rather than conical. It consists of a series of brass tubes of different lengths. At the top end of the bells are striking caps where the player uses a hammer to stike the bells.
Some models consist of a foot-operated pedal which allows the notes to ring as on a vibraphone.
At the top of each resonator is a paddle which is powered by an eletrical motor to rotate, producing a vibrato for each note played. This consists of a wooden box with loose metal pieces inside which is attached by a bent rod to a ball. When the ball is struck, the metal pieces inside rattle. It's origins were from a jawbone of a mule with loose teeth. A stringed instrument, held under the chin, which consists of 4 strings tuned in 5ths.