Brass fingerings explained
Memorising a fingering chart helps little if you do not understand the logic behind it. Here is the logic: harmonic series, valves, positions, and why some notes play sharp.
The harmonic series: the basis of everything
With no valves pressed, a brass instrument produces only some notes: the harmonic series of its tube. Changing lip tension and air speed jumps from one note to the next. On a B♭ trumpet, with no valves you play (written) C, G, C, E, G and, carefully, a somewhat flat B♭ and the high C. Valves are for reaching the notes in between by changing the tube length.
How valves work
Each valve sends the air through an extra tube, lengthening the instrument and lowering the note. On a trumpet, valve trombone, euphonium or three-valve tuba:
| Valve | Lowers the note |
|---|---|
| 2nd | one semitone |
| 1st | one whole tone (2 semitones) |
| 1st + 2nd | 3 semitones (a tone and a half) |
| 3rd | 3 semitones (a tone and a half) |
| 2nd + 3rd | 4 semitones (a major third) |
| 1st + 3rd | 5 semitones (a perfect fourth) |
| 1st + 2nd + 3rd | 6 semitones (a tritone) |
Example on trumpet (written note): C (open), B (2), B♭ (1), A (1+2 or 3), A♭ (2+3), G (1+3), F♯ (1+2+3). To see every note on your instrument use the Atril fingering charts.
Why combinations play sharp
Each semitone down multiplies the tube length by the same proportion (about 1.0595). That means the extra length a combination needs is greater than the sum of the individual valve lengths. As a result, notes with 1st+3rd and even more with 1st+2nd+3rd play sharp. The 3rd valve alone is often slightly sharp too. To compensate, instruments come with:
- A ring or trigger on the 1st valve slide, extended to lower notes using the 1st valve.
- A ring or trigger on the 3rd valve slide, to correct the low D below the staff and similar notes.
- A fourth valve on euphoniums and tubas, replacing out-of-tune combinations and extending the low register.
- Alternate fingerings, such as 2nd+3rd instead of 1st+2nd when that improves intonation (depending on the instrument).
Your exact tendencies depend on the instrument and mouthpiece; the Intonation X-ray shows them with a scale.
The trombone: positions, not valves
The slide trombone changes the tube length by moving the slide. There are seven positions, each lowering the note one semitone more than the previous: from B♭ (1st position) to A (2nd), A♭ (3rd), G (4th), G♭ (5th), F (6th) and E (7th). Because each semitone needs more tube than the last (same proportion), positions get farther apart: the gap between 6th and 7th is larger than between 1st and 2nd. The same note can also be played in different positions using the harmonic series.
The French horn: two instruments in one
The double horn has two tubes, one in F (longer, around 3.7 m) and one in B♭ (shorter, around 2.7 m; approximate values). A thumb valve switches between them. The F side has a darker tone, and the B♭ side gives more security in the high register and better tuning. The valves are used like on the trumpet, but the fingering depends on which side you are using.
Tubas and euphoniums
The logic is the same, but large instruments have longer tubes, wider gaps between harmonics and more tuning issues with combinations. That is why they often have a fourth valve, sometimes a fifth or compensating systems. Tubas in B♭, C, E♭ and F differ in size and register, and also in the fingerings of the same notes.
Tips for learning fingerings
- Learn the logic before the chart: 2nd a semitone, 1st a tone, 3rd a tone and a half.
- Study scales, not isolated notes: you learn the patterns.
- Use a drone to hear when a fingering plays sharp or flat.
- Mark in your part the notes on which your instrument is out of tune and write the correction.
Next: instrument care and maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the 3rd valve often play sharp?
Because the tube length it adds is not enough to lower exactly three semitones, so many instruments have a ring or trigger on its slide.
How many positions does a slide trombone have?
Seven. Each position lowers the note one semitone from the previous, from B♭ in 1st position to E in 7th.
What is the fourth valve?
An extra valve, common on tubas, euphoniums and some trumpets, that lengthens the tube by about five semitones and improves low-note tuning.