Things You'll Need:
- trumpet or cornet
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Step 1
Learn how to make a tone through the trumpet.
This is the hardest step, and it could take weeks or months to make a reliable tone. If the instrument is in tune to B flat--as most are--you will probably be making either a C or a G. These are notes that are played without pressing any valves down. The tighter your lips buzz against the mouthpiece, the higher the note. -
Step 2
Flats are identified in sheet music by a flat sign that looks like a lowercase letter b. Sharps are identified in sheet by a notation that looks like a number sign (#). They are a half-step between two notes. A flat indicates a step down, and a sharp is a step up. So an A sharp and a B flat should sound the same.
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Step 3
Learn the correct fingering for the sharps and flats.
The left hand holds the trumpet, and the right hand presses the valves. When the right hand is positioned correctly, the pointer finger is on the valve closest to you that will be labeled 1. The middle finger is on valve 2, and the ring finger is on valve 3. Your instrument may have have the numbers 1, 2, and 3 etched on the sides of the valves.
The most common fingering to play the notes is:
low G#, Ab = 23
low A#, Bb = 1
low C#, Db = 123
low D#, Eb = 23
low F#, Gb = 2
mid G#, Ab = 23
mid A#, Bb = 1
mid C#, Db = 12
mid D#, Eb = 2
mid F#, Gb = 2
high G#, Ab = 23 -
Step 4
Once you know which valves to press for the note you want, buzz your lips at the correct tension to play the low, mid, or high note. Ta da!
