Types of Trumpets

The trumpet family

B♭, piston valve trumpet is by far the most popular trumpet and the one most players begin learning how to play trumpet on. Like all brass instruments however, the B♭ trumpet is part of a whole family of trumpets ranging from the tiny Piccolo Trumpet, which is half the length of a B♭ trumpet to the big Bass Trumpet which is twice as long as the normal B♭ instrument. Some trumpets use the long, thin piston valves (like the B♭ trumpet) and others short, round rotary valves but they all do the same job, adding tubing.

Most trumpets other than the standard B♭ are generally used in classical music, sometimes because of their unique sounds and sometimes for historical reasons reaching back to the days before valves were invented.

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The trumpet family

B♭ Trumpet

A B♭ (B-Flat) trumpet is the most common type of trumpet. The fundamental note, with no valves is a B♭. A good trumpet player is good at transposing music at sight because in an orchestral setting they will frequently need to play music written for the A, B♭, D, E♭, E, or F trumpet on the B♭ trumpet or C trumpet.

pTrumpet

The pTrumpet is a fully functioning, medium-large bore Bb trumpet. The only difference is its completely plastic, making it very lightweight and extremely durable, not to mention weatherproof
  • Unique fully plastic valve system
  • All plastic water-key
  • Weighs just 500g

pTrumpet hyTech

The pTrumpet hyTech marks a new chapter in trumpet evolution. Combining metal and plastic.
  • Bb metal/polymer trumpet
  • Metal water keys with silicon seals on main and 3rd valve tuning slides
  • Aluminium top & bottom valve caps, stems and contoured finger buttons

Other types of trumpets

Pocket Trumpet

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There isn't much difference between a pocket trumpet and a regular Bb trumpet except that the pocket trumpet has had it’s piping folded up more tightly to make it’s outer dimensions smaller. They're mainly used because they are more portable.

C Trumpet & E♭/D Trumpet

A shorter trumpet produces a higher pitch, and as a result the tone projects a little higher. The C trumpet is the most common in orchestral playing.

Piccolo Trumpet

Commonly made to play in both B♭ and A the piccolo trumpet is the smallest trumpet, they have 4 valves instead of the usual three. The piccolo is the highest-pitched member of the trumpet family
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What's the difference between a trumpet and a cornet?

Trumpet

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Cornet

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The main difference is the shape of the bore. Both a Bb trumpet and a Bb cornet have the same length of tubing, but the first two thirds of the cornet has a conical bore as opposed to the cylindrical or parallel bore used on a trumpet. A conical bore constantly increases in size, this creates a softer, warmer tone than that of the trumpet. Deciding factors when choosing to begin with a trumpet or a cornet include that the cornet is normally used in a brass band or wind band so if those traditions are strong where you live a cornet may be a better choice. Also, the cornet’s tubes are wrapped up more tightly than a trumpet’s making the instrument shorter and a little easier to handle. Some teachers and players feel that the cornet’s conical bore make it easier to get started buzzing and making a good sound than on the trumpet.

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