Trumpet ensembles

Hello just a quick one!

Is there a set format for a trumpet quartet, quintet, sextet?

Does there have to be a bass trumpet or can it be any combination of trumpets?

sorry if this makes no sense

bean xx

I'm not sure, but I think as these things are somewhat non-standard, you probably have considerable freedom with them.

Mozart, for example, has a piece for 5 trumpets and timpani! (if my memory serves)

as Daniel stated, there is no "standard" set-up for trumpet ensemble, however, bass trumpet i extreemely rare in music, and most profesional players do not own one themselves. however, something to keep in mind is that many intermediate to advanced players own a C trumpet which give a slightly different color to it's harmonics, compared to the Bb trumpet. its just a thought for you to concider. hope i've helped. good luck.

It can be any arrangement of trumpets. Typically all parts are for B-flat trumpet. If you really want to get colorful, you can write parts of flugal horn, cornet, trumpet and piccolo trumpet, but you would need a very professional group to pull something like this off. Standard trumpet ensembles would be 4 B-flat trumpets. While writing for C trumpet may seem like a possibility, we trumpet players tend to play the parts on whatever horn we like, transposing as necessary. This is how it's been done for centuries in orchestral playing. Hope this helps