piccolo trumpet

musical instrument

Also known as: Bach trumpet

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The piccolo trumpet is a smaller, higher-pitched version of the standard trumpet, pitched an octave higher than the concert flute. It is a brass wind instrument sounded by lip vibration against a cup mouthpiece.12

Historically, a piccolo trumpet in D was developed around 1890 to play the high trumpet parts in music by composers like J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel. While the modern valve trumpet is typically pitched in B♭, other keys and variations exist, including the piccolo trumpet.2

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trumpet
…D, also known as the Bach trumpet, was invented in about 1890 by the Belgian instrument-maker Victor Mahillon for use in the high trumpet parts of music by J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel. Other forms include the older E♭ trumpet, the trumpet in C, piccolo trumpets in F and…
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…D, also known as the Bach trumpet, was invented in about 1890 by the Belgian instrument-maker Victor Mahillon for use in the high trumpet parts of music by J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel. Other forms include the older E♭ trumpet, the trumpet in C, piccolo trumpets in F and…
Read More