Trumpet Fingering Chart
The Trumpet Fingering Chart is a music reference tool covering trumpet fingering chart, trumpet notes chart, trumpet fingering chart for beginners, trumpet valve chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
Trumpet Fingering Lookup
Select a note to see the valve combination and a visual diagram instantly.
How to Read a Trumpet Fingering Chart
- A standard Bb trumpet has three valves operated by the right hand index, middle, and ring fingers. Valves are numbered 1, 2, and 3 from left to right.
- In a fingering chart filled circles (●) indicate valves that are pressed down. Open circles (○) indicate valves left up and open.
- Pressing a valve redirects air through additional tubing which lowers the pitch. Valve 1 lowers pitch by a whole step (2 semitones). Valve 2 lowers pitch by a half step (1 semitone). Valve 3 lowers pitch by a step and a half (3 semitones).
- Valves can be combined: 1+2 = 3 semitones. 1+3 = 5 semitones. 2+3 = 4 semitones. 1+2+3 = 6 semitones (diminished fifth below open). No valves pressed = the harmonic series of the trumpet.
- The same fingering produces different pitches depending on which harmonic the player selects through lip tension and air pressure. This is the key difference between brass instruments and woodwinds.
Trumpet Fingering Chart — Standard Range
| Written Note | Concert Pitch (Bb trumpet sounds a major 2nd lower) | Valve Combination | Register and Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| F#3 / Gb3 | E3 | 1+2+3 | Pedal tone — advanced technique. |
| G3 | F3 | 0 (open) | Low pedal tone. |
| Ab3 / G#3 | Gb3 | 2+3 | — |
| A3 | G3 | 1+2 | — |
| Bb3 / A#3 | Ab3 | 1 | — |
| B3 | A3 | 2 | — |
| C4 | Bb3 | 0 (open) | Low C — strong note in the staff. |
| D4 | C4 | 1+3 | — |
| Eb4 / D#4 | Db4 | 2+3 | — |
| E4 | D4 | 1+2 | — |
| F4 | Eb4 | 1 | — |
| F#4 / Gb4 | E4 | 2 | — |
| G4 | F4 | 0 (open) | Open G — very stable. Often a first note for beginners. |
| Ab4 / G#4 | Gb4 | 2+3 | — |
| A4 | G4 | 1+2 | — |
| Bb4 / A#4 | Ab4 | 1 | — |
| B4 | A4 | 2 | — |
| C5 | Bb4 | 0 (open) | Middle of the range — most used register. |
| D5 | C5 | 1+3 | — |
| C6 | Bb5 | 0 (open) | High C — top of standard range. Requires strong upper register embouchure. |
Source: Standard Bb trumpet valve combinations and harmonic series — Music Notes Trumpet Guide
Trumpet Transposition Reference
The Bb trumpet sounds a major second (whole step) lower than written — a written C sounds as concert Bb.
| Written Pitch | Concert Pitch (sounds as) |
|---|---|
| C | Bb (a major second lower) |
| D | C |
| E | D |
| F | Eb |
| G | F |
| A | G |
| B | Ab |
| C (octave above) | Bb (octave above) |
| Db / C# | B |
| Eb / D# | C# / Db |
| F# / Gb | E |
| Ab / G# | F# / Gb |
Source: Standard Bb trumpet transposition — Music Theory.net
Valve Combination Reference
| Valve Combination | Semitones Lowered | Interval Lowered |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (open — no valves) | 0 | Open — natural harmonic series |
| 2 | 1 | Half step |
| 1 | 2 | Whole step |
| 1+2 or 3 | 3 | Minor third — 1+2 and 3 are equivalent but 3 is often sharp and needs adjustment |
| 2+3 | 4 | Major third |
| 1+3 | 5 | Perfect fourth |
| 1+2+3 | 6 | Diminished fifth — most out-of-tune combination; requires adjustment with third valve slide |
Trumpet Fingering Lookup
Select any written note from the dropdown to instantly see the valve combination, a visual three-valve diagram, and technique tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key is the trumpet in?
The standard orchestral and band trumpet is in Bb. Written C sounds as concert Bb — a major second lower than written.
What are the three valves on a trumpet?
The three valves redirect air through additional lengths of tubing to lower the pitch. Valve 1 lowers by a whole step, valve 2 by a half step, and valve 3 by a step and a half.
What is the easiest note to start with on trumpet?
Written G4 (concert F4) is the most common starting note — it sits in the middle of the staff and uses the open (no valves) position. Open C (written C4) is also used but requires more lip tension.
How high can a trumpet play?
The standard written range extends to high C (C6 — concert Bb5). Lead trumpet players in jazz and commercial music regularly play above this with the high F (F6) being a benchmark note for screech trumpet specialists.
Why does the trumpet use harmonics?
The trumpet generates sound through lip vibration in the mouthpiece — the lips buzz at a fundamental frequency and the trumpet's tubing resonates at specific harmonic frequencies. By adjusting lip tension and air pressure the player selects which harmonic to produce — the same valve combination produces multiple pitches depending on the harmonic selected.
What is a trumpet mute?
A mute is an insert placed in the bell of the trumpet that changes the sound character by muffling or distorting the tone. Common types include the straight mute (bright and projecting), cup mute (softer), harmon or wah-wah mute (jazz sound), and practice mute (very quiet).
Is the cornet the same as the trumpet?
The cornet and trumpet are closely related Bb transposing brass instruments with the same valve system and written range. The cornet has a more conical bore giving it a mellower rounder tone while the trumpet has a more cylindrical bore giving it a brighter more projecting sound.
What is double tonguing on trumpet?
Double tonguing is a technique for playing rapid passages faster than single tonguing allows. The player alternates between T and K syllables (tu-ku-tu-ku) rather than repeating T (tu-tu-tu) — this effectively doubles the maximum articulation speed.