The Best Trumpets

Piccolo trumpets: Basically a modern trumpet with a bore half the length. Most have four valves and are used to play difficult, high trumpet parts.

Pocket trumpet: Something of a novelty, the pocket trumpet has the same playing range as the regular trumpet. The tubing is wound much more tightly, so it has a much more compact size. Dates to the 1860's.

Cornets: A cornet is an instrument that looks very much like a trumpet, but the tube gradually increases in diameter from the mouthpiece to the bell. The sound it produces is more mellow than a traditional trumpet, and is quite a bit smaller also.
Bugles: Small brass horn with no valves. The name 'bugle' means 'young bull' in French, and early versions were made from bull horns. Because it has no valves, it has a limited playing range, and is used mostly for military calls.

Flügelhorns: Similar in size and shape to the trumpet, but has a larger bell and a conical tube (bore) like the cornet. The flügelhorn originated in 18th century Germany as a hunting horn, and the person who played it was reponsible for directing different hunting phases. Later was used in military applications.