How to create a Piccolo Trumpet in D?

Dorico
1

… can’t find this in the menu of the available instruments. Is there a way to create/define this instrument?

Thanks!

2

You can define new instruments under Library->Instruments.

Jesper

3

Details for @jesele’s suggestion:

  1. Open Libarary > Instruments
  2. FInd one of the existing piccolo trumpet instruments (A or Bb)
  3. Click the New Variant from Selection button in the lower left
    image
  4. Adjust as needed instrument names and transposition
  5. If you want this instrument to be available in future new projects, click the Save as Default start in the lower left
    image
  6. Click OK
4

Alternatively, you can use a Trumpet in D that is among the available instruments. If you want to call it piccolo you can simply rename it, but that is unusual.

(I tried googling piccolo trumpet in d just to see if an instrument an octave above the regular D trumpet exists that I haven’t heard of. That doesn’t seem to be the case so I assume you’re referring to a regular D trumpet, such as the one I might use when I play a Mozart or Beethoven symphony. My point with this additional paragraph is that calling it a piccolo might confuse some trumpet players such as me, while “trumpet in d” is familiar to any trumpet player with experience playing in a symphony orchestra.)

5

You’re right, there’s possibly some confusion — perhaps because some composers call the D trumpet a piccolo trumpet (even though it only plays a tone above the C trumpet).
Like here in The Rite of Spring:

Sacre Trompette Picc.
Sacre Trompette Picc.1200×1600 258 KB

And Dorico doesn’t include “piccolo” in its name, but as you mention, it could be the one @Stefan_B is looking for!

6

Ah, yes, you (and @charles_piano) are right.

7

There’s a simple explanation on Wikipedia

The piccolo trumpet in D, also known as the Bach trumpet , was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Victor Mahillon and first used in the late 19th century to play the high trumpet parts in music by Bach and Handel. Initially built in a long linear form with three piston valves, by the early 20th century it was mostly made with the more compact wrap of modern C and B♭ trumpets. The trumpet in D was called for by several composers, including Stravinsky (The Rite of Spring , Petrushka ), Ravel (Boléro ), and Britten (Peter Grimes )

Today the mentioned repertoire (except Britten) is usually played on a modern 4-valve piccolo Trumpet in Bb or A.