How to Hold the Trumpet while Playing

Part of the Video Series How to Play the Trumpet

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Learn how to place your fingers on the trumpet and hold it in this free video on playing the trumpet.

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Posted by chipperroo on Saturday, 04 November, 2006 at 8:16 AM

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All of Chris Cox's videos are very helpful. Thank you very much!

Video Transcript

How to Hold the Trumpet while Playing
Alright how to hold the trumpet, I usually have students pretend their holding a softball. So if you’ve got a softball here, you’ve got your thumb and your pinkie and all the fingers in between. Your thumb goes between the first and second valve underneath the lead pipe - your first, second, and third fingers. And then a lot of students put their pinkie on top of the little ring finger here, I prefer that. A lot of people also put their pinkie inside and I tend to use that to pick up the trumpet and when I’m playing I try not to keep my pinkie in there. Your left hand will wrap around the first valve, the next two fingers will wrap around the third valve. Your ring finger goes into the ring here and the pinkie sometimes will wrap underneath down on the bottom, I like to keep it onto the side and I use this just to hold the instrument. I don’t use it as a pressure situation, it’s just nice to hold the instrument up on your face, then you put it together with your right hand and you’re able to make some sounds.

About the Expert

Expert: Chris Cox is currently the Director of Bands at Eureka High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from CSU Fresno and a Masters of Music Performance on Trumpet from Ithaca College. Read More