A pocket trumpet is a miniature version of the standard B flat trumpet used in bands, orchestras, and other groups. Because it is regarded as a novelty instrument, most professionals do not use it for serious playing, despite the fact that professional versions of high quality are available. This smaller instrument is desired primarily because of its portability, which is advantageous in situations such as playing in a marching band.
This miniature trumpet measures 9.5 inches (24.13 cm) in length and 6.5 to 7 inches (16.51 cm to 17.78 cm) in height. Bore sizes vary, but they’re similar to the B flat trumpet’s. Because of its small size, many people mistake it for the piccolo trumpet, which has half the tubing of a B flat trumpet and thus plays an octave higher.
Pocket trumpets are made in one of two ways. The first is to reduce the bore and bell size. This isn’t always a good idea because intonation and other musical elements like timbre suffer. It also means that the musician will be unable to use a standard-size mute with the instrument, severely limiting the styles and colors available. The second option is to keep the bore and bell the same as on the B flat trumpet, which avoids the issues that reducing the bore and bell causes.
The pocket trumpet’s range is nearly identical to that of a standard B flat trumpet. As a result, proficient players can easily achieve the F sharp below middle C, or the F3 at the bottom of the range. The upper range peaks at about three octaves higher, or F6, with good players being able to reach at least C5 standard.
Because manufacturers use the same amount of tubing for the pocket trumpet as they do for the B flat trumpet, the pocket trumpet can produce the same basic range as the B flat trumpet. B flat trumpet mouthpieces are even used on pocket trumpets. The only real difference is that manufacturers wind the tubing in a more compact manner, allowing the instrument to be shorter in length without sacrificing range. Although the pocket trumpet has the same range as the B flat trumpet, the fact that the tubing has more bends and curves makes it a little more difficult to play because there is more air resistance, similar to a cornet. Although many musicians describe the sound of the pocket trumpet as more tinny, the tone can be slightly mellower than that of a B flat trumpet.
These instruments come in a wide range of quality. Professional-grade pocket trumpets easily can run into the thousands of dollars and have a response and color that rivals any high-quality B flat trumpet. Some are little better than wall decorations, with extremely poor sound and intonation, but on the other end of the spectrum, professional-grade pocket trumpets easily can run into the thousands of dollars and have a response and color that rivals any high-quality B flat trumpet.