The trumpet is one of the oldest and most recognizable musical instruments in the world. This particular musical instrument has been around longer than many of the nations that exist around the globe today, and the uses of the trumpet have evolved over time. The first models were constructed of bronze, silver, and even metal, and were found in ancient civilizations around the globe. Variations on the trumpet have been found in King Tut’s grave in Egypt, among Viking artifacts in Scandinavia, and even in ancient China.
One of the more unique and unknown variations on the trumpet is the pocket trumpet. The size and construction of pocket trumpets are one of the main reasons that it stands out within the trumpet family of instruments. This particular variation plays at the same B flat range as the standard trumpet, but is constructed much differently. While the common B flat trumpet is constructed with two curves to the tubing, the pocket trumpet is wound much more compactly while still using the same amount of tubing. Pocket trumpets produce the same B flat range as the standard trumpet.
Some individuals may confuse pocket trumpets with another member of the trumpet family, the piccolo trumpet. It is an easy mistake to make as both trumpets have a small design, but they are in fact very different instruments. The piccolo trumpet is half the size of a standard B flat trumpet because it has less tubing. The piccolo also has a four valve system and plays an octave higher than the B flat. Pocket trumpets on the other hand, as mentioned, has the same amount of tubing as the standard B flat. The pocket trumpet is wrapped more tightly to appear smaller in size and is constructed with a three valve system.
The pocket trumpet has yet to gain wide acceptability among musicians and is currently not found among the brass section of many orchestras. The instrument remains largely a novelty among trumpeters and is most often used as a practice trumpet, particularly useful for its ease of transport given its smaller size. Although it lacks the credibility of the standard B flat trumpet, the pocket trumpet has been used by some jazz musicians and Dixieland band members to add a little more flair to their music.
Pocket trumpets are typically found in two different variations. The two typical design forms include:
- Standard bell and bore size
- Reduced bell and bore size
The reduced bell and bore size model is the older of the two pocket trumpet designs having originated in the 19th century. The reduced design suffers from a list of problems however that includes poor intonation and a hindered timbral and dynamic range. The standard model originated much later, first appearing in 1968 in the United States. The standard design on the other hand has improved intonation and a dynamic range rivaling that of the standard trumpet. Other qualities still differ though from a standard trumpet, most notably the tonal quality, projection, and articulation.
While pocket trumpets remain largely a novelty among the music community, there are a handful of individuals who have been able to show what the pocket trumpet is truly capable of. This variation is likely to remain a novelty until more and more individuals can prove its value to the musical world.