The trumpet is a member of the brass family of instruments. The brass family is often divided into four groups: the horns, trumpets, trombones, and tubas. Most of the time, when people say "trumpet," they mean the Bb trumpet, one particular member of the trumpet group, which includes Eb and Bb bass trumpets; trumpets in the keys of Bb, C, D, and Eb; the A and Bb piccolo trumpet; cornets in Bb and Eb; and the Bb flugelhorn.

The trumpets, as a group, form the soprano voice of the brass family. Bb trumpets are the best known instrument of the group. Originally confined to military settings, today trumpets are used in both orchestral and band settings, including concert and marching bands, and jazz groups.

In the history of the trumpet, there are three major types: the natural (valveless) trumpet which resembles modern bugles and was popular during the Baroque period, the valve trumpet, which was based on the trumpet in F and first used in the mid 1800’s, and the currently used modern trumpet. The modern trumpets are higher. Though someone who says, “I have a trumpet” with no specification probably refers to a Bb trumpet, professionals often have a C or D trumpet as well, and choose between the two to suit the work they are performing.

The trumpet has a brilliant sound, typified for many by its role in fanfares and battle calls. But today it is used in music as diverse as ragtime, big band, and mariachi bands. The sound of a trumpet may be shaped by the use of a mute, such as the straight mute, cup mute, or harmon mute. Effects similar to that of a mute are created by using the hand over or in the bell or by using a plunger, a felt hat, or by playing into the stand.

Specialized articulations written in the music can provide further indication to the performer to create special effects. These are most common in jazz. They include the smear, the doit, the fall off, the plop, and the turn.

Famous trumpet pieces include Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto No. 2, Georg Telemann’s Concerto in D Major for trumpet, and Joseph Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major. There have been many famous trumpet players, including Maurice André, Louis Armstrong, Herb Alpert, Dizzy Gillepsie, Miles Davis, and Wynton Marsalis.