What innovation allowed horn and trumpet players to perform chromatically throughout their range?

The introduction of valve systems revolutionized brass instruments such as horns and trumpets, enabling musicians to perform chromatically across their entire range. Prior to the advent of valves, these instruments were limited to the harmonic series, which restricted players to a limited set of pitches based on the fundamental note they could produce.

With the addition of valves, players could manipulate the instrument’s tubing length, effectively altering the pitch and allowing them to access a full chromatic scale. This technological advancement not only expanded the range of notes available to brass players but also enhanced the versatility and expressiveness of brass music, paving the way for more complex compositions and performances.

While mouthpiece developments, advances in string technology, and improved breath control techniques may contribute to the overall performance of a musician, they do not specifically address the issue of chromatic performance that valve systems uniquely solve.