Small/Medium Bore Trumpets

A trumpet may seem like a simple instrument - after all, it's basically just a long brass tube curled up with a few valves attached. But the truth is that there's a lot more to a horn than meets the eye. The length of the tubing isn't the only thing that affects the trumpet's sound: it also depends heavily on the shape of the leadpipe and bell, as well as the bore size. For musicians searching for a particular quality of sound, taking these measurements into account is very important. And there are plenty of trumpeters who swear by the tone produced by the small/medium bore trumpets found here in this section.

This naturally begs the question of what quality a smaller bore actually gives to a trumpet. The answer is softness: the smaller the bore, the softer the instrument's sound. There are all kinds of situations where that softness is a big advantage - for instance, a second or third-chair trumpeter can use a smaller-bore trumpet to avoid competing with the principal. And in smooth-sounding genres like jazz, a soft trumpet sound makes for a seamless fit into the overall voice of the group. From that starting point, you can then pick out the leadpipe and bell that will build up to the exact tonal character you like best, and once you've done that, you'll know you've found the perfect trumpet for your needs.

If you like the small size and distinctive sound of a piccolo trumpet, for example, there are choices like the Bach 196 Stradivarius Series Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet and the Getzen 940 Eterna Series Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet. Looking for a classic Bb design? The B&S EXB eXquisite Series Bb Trumpet could be the answer. Or, if you like the flexibility of interchangeable bells, check out the Kanstul 1523 Series Eb / D Trumpet. And for those who prefer a European flair, there's always the option to go rotary with an instrument such as the Yamaha YTR-948FFMS Custom Series Rotary C Trumpet. All in all, it's up to you as a player to decide which small/medium bore trumpets are worth putting on your wish list... so don't hesitate to get started!