On concept of a pocket trumpet is that it`s just easier to carry around. If you can afford the luxury of having one just to take with you for practice, etc. on trips, they`re great. Otherwise, as previously noted, i think they`re mainly just attention-getters...novelty items more or less.

I don`t agree about pocket trumbets being novelty items; some, maybe a lot of them are, but many marching bands and youth bands are getting an increase in the number of pocket trumpets used by the band members.