How to Use Trumpet Valves

You can play all 13 notes of the chromatic scale on the trumpet with the combination of the three valves. Seven valve combinations are possible on the trumpet. Learn these seven valve positions and how they correspond to a basic chromatic scale.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Learn the valve numbers. The first valve is the one closest to the mouthpiece. It's the valve you press with your index finger. The second valve is the middle valve and you press it with your middle finger. The third valve is the one closest to the bell and you press it with your ring finger.
2. Begin with the open position. This is valve position 1. You play the open position by not pressing any valves, thus leaving your trumpet completely open. You can play a low C, middle G, middle C, high E and other notes in the open position by changing the pitch with your lips.
3. Move on to the next three positions. Valve position 2 consists of pressing the second valve while leaving the first and third open. You use valve position 3 by pressing the first valve while leaving the second and third valves open. Press both the first and second valves to execute valve position 4.
4. Practice the final three valve positions. These are the least used, but still important, so don't neglect them. You play valve position 5 by pressing the second and third valves while leaving the first open. Next is valve position 6, which you play by pressing the first and third valves. Finally, valve position 7, which you accomplish by pressing all three valves.
5. Play a chromatic scale to use all of your valve positions. Start at low C and play up every half-step to middle C. The notes are C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B and C. You will start in an open position, or valve position 1, then move up the scale. The valve positions for a chromatic scale are as follows: 1, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Tips & Warnings

• Some notes have multiple valve positions they can be played with, such as middle G which can be played in valve position 1 and valve position 6.