The trumpet is a brass instrument which produces the highest register in this family. It has three valves which are used to change the pitch of the instrument, as shown in the interactive trumpet fingering chart above.
Before using the above interactive fingering chart and playing your first pieces, you need to know where to position your hands on the trumpet. It’s important to note that with the trumpet, your left hand holds the instrument whereas your right hand presses the keys.
To get started, slip your left-hand ring finger through the ring in the middle of the trumpet, curl your other fingers around the valves and place your thumb on the thumb rest. Your pinkie finger can simply rest against the third valve.
Now on to your right hand: your index, middle and ring fingers should sit on the three valves, while your pinkie finger can either rest on, or curl around, the pinkie holder. Your thumb can simply rest underneath the valves.
Once you understand where your hands should be positioned, you can use the interactive fingering chart above to practice the notes and to start playing your first pieces! You can simply click on any note and the fingering will be displayed on the visual trumpet. Don’t forget, you can also download and print the interactive trumpet fingering chart for free.
Image 1: Left-hand position
Image 2: Right-hand position
Your hands are in position and you’re now ready to play your first notes! The interactive fingering chart will help you but first, you’ll need to know where to begin.
There are two ways to produce pitch on the trumpet: using your lip position (open notes) and using the valves. Once you have mastered the lip positions, you can move onto the trumpet fingering chart above.
The easiest notes to start with are C, D, E, F and G. C is an open note, so you don’t need to press down any valves - it’s all in the lip position. D is produced by pressing down the first and third valve. You can continue learning the other notes by following the fingering chart above.
Please note, there are alternative fingerings and we have included some of the most common examples on the interactive trumpet fingering chart.
We have a large catalogue of trumpet sheet music for all different levels, including beginner level. Our team of professional musicians record the play-along tracks and produce the sheet music for you to play and enjoy! For beginner trumpeters, you’ll be happy to hear that we also provide a visual trumpet - select any note and the visual instrument will light up to show you which valves you need to press!
