Sometimes known as a cornetto, the cornett was the most highly prized instrument of the 16th century and was used in what are now called alta capellas or wind ensembles. It is not to be confused with the trumpet-like cornet.

A cornett is made of wood and has fingerholes like a recorder but it is played with a small horn or ivory cup mouthpiece similar to that of a trumpet.

Masters of the cornett were renowned for their virtuosity and were the highest paid players of the orchestra. Princes often competed for their services. One of the greatest composers of this time, Monteverdi, while court composer at Mantua, complained bitterly that his stipend was lower than that of the cornettists in his orchestra.

The fingerholes on cornetts have to be spaced rather widely apart to give clear notes, and a difficulty with the straight treble is the absence of any relief for the stretch of the lower fingers.