Bb Trumpet Fingering Chart
Every note on the B♭ trumpet from low F♯ to high C, in written pitch, with its valve fingering, alternate fingerings and the concert pitch it sounds. Tap a row to hear the note.
| Written note | Valves | Alternates | Sounds (concert) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6 | 0 | — | A♯5 / B♭5 |
| B5 | 2 | — | A5 |
| A♯5 / B♭5 | 1 | — | G♯5 / A♭5 |
| A5 | 1-2 | 3 | G5 |
| G♯5 / A♭5 | 2-3 | — | F♯5 / G♭5 |
| G5 | 0 | 1-3 | F5 |
| F♯5 / G♭5 | 2 | 1-2-3 | E5 |
| F5 | 1 | — | D♯5 / E♭5 |
| E5 | 0 | 1-2 3 | D5 |
| D♯5 / E♭5 | 2 | 2-3 | C♯5 / D♭5 |
| D5 | 1 | 1-3 | C5 |
| C♯5 / D♭5 | 1-2 | 3 1-2-3 | B4 |
| C5 | 0 | 2-3 | A♯4 / B♭4 |
| B4 | 2 | 1-3 | A4 |
| A♯4 / B♭4 | 1 | 1-2-3 | G♯4 / A♭4 |
| A4 | 1-2 | 3 | G4 |
| G♯4 / A♭4 | 2-3 | — | F♯4 / G♭4 |
| G4 | 0 | 1-3 | F4 |
| F♯4 / G♭4 | 2 | 1-2-3 | E4 |
| F4 | 1 | — | D♯4 / E♭4 |
| E4 | 1-2 | 3 | D4 |
| D♯4 / E♭4 | 2-3 | — | C♯4 / D♭4 |
| D4 | 1-3 | — | C4 |
| C♯4 / D♭4 | 1-2-3 | — | B3 |
| C4 | 0 | — | A♯3 / B♭3 |
| B3 | 2 | — | A3 |
| A♯3 / B♭3 | 1 | — | G♯3 / A♭3 |
| A3 | 1-2 | 3 | G3 |
| G♯3 / A♭3 | 2-3 | — | F♯3 / G♭3 |
| G3 | 1-3 | — | F3 |
| F♯3 / G♭3 | 1-2-3 | — | E3 |
How to read the chart
The three circles are valves 1, 2 and 3 from left to right: filled is pressed, empty is open. The number next to the note is the written octave: C4 is the low open C and C5 the C in the third space of the staff. The “Sounds” column is the concert pitch, a whole step lower, which is what a pianist or a tuner would hear.
When to use alternate fingerings
Alternates come from another partial of the same series. Use them for fast passages (G5 with 1-3 next to an A5 with 1-2) or to fix intonation: the 3rd valve replaces 1-2, and on notes like D4 or C♯4, which are sharp with 1-3 and 1-2-3, extend the 1st or 3rd valve slide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fingering for each note on the trumpet?
In the middle register: C open, D 1-3, E 1-2, F 1, G open, A 1-2, B 2 and high C open. Sharps and flats use the combinations in between (C# 1-2-3, Eb 2-3, F# 2, Ab 2-3, Bb 1). The chart lists every note from low F# to high C.
Why do some trumpet notes have alternate fingerings?
Every valve combination produces a series of notes, so some notes can be reached from two different series. For example high G can be played open or with 1-3, and high A with 1-2 or 3. Alternates help in fast passages and to correct intonation.
Is the chart in concert pitch or written pitch?
The note names are in written pitch, as they appear in trumpet music. The last column shows the concert pitch you actually hear, one whole step lower.