The earliest trumpets date back to 2000 BC and were found in Egypt, Scandinavia, and China. The C trumpet is commonly used in American orchestras as it produces a brighter sound than the B-flat trumpet. Modern trumpets use three piston valves to change the tubing length and lower the pitch, while the mouthpiece affects the timbre, playability, and comfort. Legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong was one of the most famous trumpet players known for his improvisational skills.