How to Play a Bb Piccolo Trumpet

Learning to play a Bb piccolo trumpet is challenging in ways that do not apply to a regular Bb trumpet. An Eb trumpet has similar physical constraints, but the piccolo trumpet, regardless of the key it is set in, requires a much more accurate approach to air stream and embouchure placement. The shorter lead pipe, the smaller bell and the octave difference in pitch from a standard trumpet all contribute to the difficulties associated with the instrument.

Instructions

1. Before playing any notes on the trumpet, buzz your lips without touching the mouthpiece. Simulate the sound of any major scale of your choice. Follow the scale with buzzing a melody that requires you play a pitch above F5.

2. Place your lips against the mouthpiece and buzz as normal. You will immediately notice that the sound coming out of the horn is an octave higher than that of a standard Bb trumpet. Getting used to this new transposition will take at least 30 to 60 minutes of practice per day for no less than 3 weeks.

3. Play a Bb major scale beginning on concert middle C. Proceed to play one octave of the scale going up back down to the starting pitch. Now play this same scale with the range of two octaves. Covering, at minimum, two octaves of every known major scale will quickly develop your ear to the new transposition.

4. Practice whole notes. Pick any pitch above F4 and play the corresponding pitch on the piccolo trumpet. Hold this pitch for at least 10 seconds. Follow this exercise by selecting at least five more pitches and repeat the process. While holding each pitch try attempt to listen down the octave to the pitch that would normally come out of a standard Bb trumpet. Doing this will help to adjust the physical challenges of holding a higher note to the sound of the lower octave you have internalized for so long on your other trumpet.

5. Practice tightening your embouchure. While playing either a scale or a melody, pay attention to how tight your embouchure is. This is the most important step in developing a new set of chops for the instrument. Bb piccolo trumpet requires a much tighter embouchure than any other keyed trumpet. Flex your muscles to the side of you mouth while playing and continue this exercise until the pain is too much to bear.