How to Play Pedal Notes on a Trumpet

Pedal notes are unusual in trumpet literature.

Pedal notes on a trumpet are the extreme low notes that begin one octave below middle C and descend six half-steps to F#. When played well, pedal trumpet notes sound like melodious growling. Most trumpet players find these notes difficult to locate at first, as they are used to playing the alto and soprano notes for which trumpets are better known. Playing pedal notes on a trumpet is all about relaxation, full breathing, and loose lips.

Things You'll Need

• Trumpet
• Trumpet mouthpiece
• Trombone or euphonium mouthpiece for embouchure training (optional)

Instructions

1. Hold the trumpet in your left hand with the bell facing forward and place the fingers of your right hand on the three valves. Do not depress any keys at first, as you will begin by playing a pedal C.

2. Inhale through your mouth, not your nose, gently and smoothly until your lungs are about three-quarters full, and place your lips gently and slightly apart against the mouthpiece.

3. Exhale into the instrument through the mouthpiece, allowing your lips to buzz loosely.

4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 until you can produce a pedal C.

5. Play a pedal B. To do so, simply follow Steps 1 through 3, but with the second valve depressed. As this note is half a step lower than a C, your lips must be slightly looser.

6. Repeat Steps 1 through 3, going down by half-tones as follows:

   C - Open (no valves depressed)
   B - Valve 2
   A# - Valve 1
   A - Valves 1 and 2
   G# - Valves 2 and 3
   G - Valves 1 and 3
   F# - Valves 1, 2 and 3

   With each descending note, loosen your lips a little more, and use a little more wind power from your lungs.

Tips & Warnings

• Playing pedal notes on a trumpet is all about breath control. The inhalation must be smooth, relaxed and full, even if you are required to inhale a large amount of air in a small period of time. The exhalation should always immediately follow the inhalation. Do not hold your breath.

• The more relaxed your lips are, the better.

• Acquire a trombone or euphonium mouthpiece and practice buzzing with it. This will accustom your lips to play lower notes when you switch back to the trumpet mouthpiece, which is much smaller.

References

• Notation Machine: The Basics of Reading Music
• Clyde E. Hunt: Pedal Tones