Helpful-Trumpet-Guide.com

TYPES OF TRUMPETS

Trumpets are made in many keys, including low F, Bb, C, D, Eb, E, F, G and A.

The Bb trumpet is the most common type used. This is the type of trumpet that most students begin on and that most profressional situations call for. The C trumpet is also commonly used. This trumpet uses shorter tuning slides and has a slightly brighter sound than the Bb trumpet, making it the trumpet of choice for many orchestral performers. The differences between these instruments are subtle and to most ears hard to recognize. The next time you’re watching an orchestra, see if you can notice a trumpet whose tuning slide doesn’t extend as far.

Take a look at a Bb Trumpet
Take a look at a C Trumpet

THE CORNET

The cornet is a very close relative of the trumpet. Sometimes students will begin on this instrument rather than the Bb trumpet due to its being slightly compressed in appearance and thus being easier to hold. Some musicians prefer the cornet over the trumpet as it produces a slightly mellower sound.

Take a look at a CORNET

THE FLUGELHORN

The flugelhorn is another relative of the trumpet. It looks like a very puffed out version of the trumpet and is played in the same manner. It has a naturally softer tone (and, from personal experience, a much more forgiving sound). It tends to be most often found in jazz-related settings. The most well-known flugelhorn player is Chuck Mangione, who had a hit during the 1970’s with “Feels So Good”.

Take a look at a FLUGELHORN

THE PICCOLO TRUMPET

The piccolo trumpet is the smallest trumpet available. Becauseh this trumpet uses much less tubing, its pitch is much higher than the conventional. They are most commonly made as Bb instruments, but are also available in other keys. Another distinguishing characteristic is that most piccolo trumpets have 4 valves instead of 3, the 4th being used to lower the pitch. Today, piccolo trumpets are most commonly found in religious settings.

Take a look at a PICCOLO TRUMPET

THE POCKET TRUMPET

The pocket trumpet is a Bb trumpet that is much shorter. Its compressed construction affords it a very unique sound. These trumpets are used relatively rarely. Probably the most popular performer on pocket trumpet was the jazz musician Don Cherry.

Take a look at a POCKET TRUMPET

THE BUGLE

The bugle is a valveless trumpet derived from the early trumpets. It was, and continues to be used primarily in the military. (and the racetrack!)

Take a look at a BUGLE

OTHER TRUMPETS

Trumpets pitched in the key of low G are also called sopranos, or soprano bugles, after their adaptation from military bugles. Traditionally used in drum and bugle corps, sopranos have featured both rotary valves and piston valves.

Among other trumpets that are rarely seen are the slide trumpet, which uses a slide instead of valves. There is also such a thing as a bass trumpet, which sounds more like a trombone. There are also rotary-valve, or German, trumpets, as well as alto and Baroque trumpets.