Get the must-have chart for trumpet fingering and valuable tips for learning and teaching this amazing instrument.
Trumpet Fingering Chart
Learning the trumpet starts with knowing your fingerings. Below you'll find a comprehensive fingering chart covering all the standard notes, along with tips to help you practice efficiently.
The Basics of Trumpet Fingering
The trumpet has three valves, numbered 1 (closest to your mouthpiece), 2 (middle), and 3 (farthest). By pressing different combinations of these valves, you change the length of the air column and produce different pitches.
Here are the most common fingering combinations:
- Open (no valves): C5, G4, E4, C4
- 1st valve only: B4, F#4/Gb4
- 2nd valve only: Bb4/A#4, F4
- 3rd valve only: A4, E4 (lower)
- 1st + 2nd: A4, Eb4/D#4
- 1st + 3rd: Ab4/G#4, D4
- 2nd + 3rd: G4 (lower), Db4/C#4
- 1st + 2nd + 3rd: F#3/Gb3, C#3/Db3
Tips for Learning Trumpet Fingerings
Start slow. Practice scales slowly with a metronome before increasing speed. Muscle memory takes time to build.
Use your ear. Always listen to the pitch as you play. Intonation varies by valve combination, so train your ear alongside your fingers.
Practice chromatic scales. Running through chromatic scales is the fastest way to internalize all fingering combinations in order.
Record yourself. Listening back helps you catch inconsistencies in tone and timing that are easy to miss while playing.
Notate and Practice with Flat
Want to write out your own trumpet exercises or arrangements? Flat's music notation software supports all brass instruments with accurate transposition, playback, and easy sharing — perfect for teachers and students alike.