The Parts of a Trumpet

Learning about the different parts of a trumpet will not only provide you will valuable information about the instrument, it will also help you when cleaning or playing the instrument. By understanding what each part of the trumpet does, you will be better prepared to adjust your playing or fix a problem if one should occur during a performance.

Parts

The trumpet is made up of eight pieces: the bell, finger hook, valve casings, pistons, leadpipe, tuning slide, valve slides and mouthpiece.

Bell

The bell, the part of the trumpet where the sound comes out, is normally made of brass but may be lacquered in gold.

Finger Hook

The finger hook allows the player to keep his other hand free while playing the trumpet.

Pistons

The three separate pistons reroute the air into the different valves, which are held in place by the valve casings.

Leadpipe

The leadpipe connection the mouthpiece to the tuning slide, which is the part of the trumpet that allows the player to adjust the instruments intonation before performing.

Valve Slides

The three valve slides allow the player to adjust the tuning of the instrument in the middle of performing.

Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the part of the trumpet the player blows or buzzes into to produce a note. The player can adjust the tuning of the note by adjusting her lips on the mouthpiece.

Resources

• Trumpet Resource Page