The first valve slide should be used for all other sharp notes that use the first valve (low E, second space A, top line F, and A above the staff) the first valve slide will probably only need to be moved slightly for these notes. The third valve slide should be used for the low C# and D. Use slides to fix sharp notes whenever possible. Top line F through top of the staff G (sharp) Here is a summary of the typically out-of-tune notes on the trumpet:įourth space C# through top space E (flat) To make it easy, here are some other notes that tend to be out of tune on the trumpet, mainly because of the presence of valves, which makes it impossible for the trumpet to be completely in tune. Refer to fingering charts for how to play the sixth overtone in each overtone series (in other words, starting on a different valve combination). Therefore, this is technically an alternate fingering, but has become standard. These numbers vary based on the trumpet, but the tendencies are the same, except for a rare exception.īecause it is so out of tune, the sixth overtone is never played open it is played first valve. Sixth overtone (Bb above the staff, played open) 31 cents flat Second overtone (second line G) 2 cents sharpįourth overtone (top space E) 14 cents flatįifth overtone (top of the staff G) 2 cents sharp In relation to equal temperament, the notes in the overtone series are out of tune as follows: These tendencies apply to the overtone series starting on any valve combination. Let’s use the lowest open note (no valves) as the first overtone for discussion.

The first member of the harmonic series that exists on the trumpet is the first overtone, or second harmonic. The fundamental does not exist as a real note on the trumpet.

Trumpet Tuning Tendencies Relating to the Overtone Series with Solutions From The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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