INSTRUMENT-SPECIFIC CONFIGURATION

C Trumpet Fingering Chart

Slightly shorter and brighter than the B♭ horn, the C Trumpet is the primary instrument of American and European symphony orchestra sections.

B♭ Trumpet C Trumpet Piccolo (4-Valve)

3-PISTON BRASS MATRIX

WRITTEN: C5|CONCERT: C5 (523.25 Hz)

Tip: Click any note on staff below or use ← / → arrow keys to inspect fingerings.ACTIVE VALVES: 0 (OPEN)

TREBLE CLEF STAFF— Click note to depress valves & hear audio(⇄ Swipe horizontally)

← Swipe staff to scroll all notes →26 notes

⌨ Shortcuts:← / →Notes·SpacePlay·DDrone·S♯/♭·FBookmark

26 notes

NOTE & PITCH

C5Written Trumpet Pitch

C5523.25 Hz

Non-transposing concert pitch (Written C4 = Concert C4)

VALVE COMBINATION

Primary

Alternate Fingerings:

INTONATION TENDENCYCentered (0¢)

Standard Concert B♭4 band tuning note — zero slide offset

Why use Alt (2 - 3): 5th-partial alternate for B–C trill

BRASS ACOUSTICS Partial #4

Primary band tuning pitch (Concert B♭4). Spin fast, relaxed air through center of bell.

01 · PITCH & TRANSPOSITION

Concert Pitch Relationship

The C Trumpet is non-transposing: written C4 sounds directly as Concert C4 (261.63 Hz), and written A4 (Valves 1-2) sounds directly at Concert A = 440 Hz.

02 · ENSEMBLE CONTEXT

Primary Repertoire & Ensembles

Standard choice for Mahler, Brahms, Strauss, Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, and sacred/choral chamber repertoire alongside piano or organ.

03 · INTONATION TENDENCIES

Slide & Alternate Fingering Tips

Because C trumpets have shorter overall tubing (~120 cm vs ~148 cm on B♭), intonation tendencies on 5th-partial E5 (0) and 4th-space E♭5 (2 vs 2-3) are more pronounced—audition alternate fingerings carefully with a tuner.

ESSENTIAL BRASS PEDAGOGY Interactive Tool

Trumpet Transposition Master Chart

Instant conversion between Concert Pitch (piano, flute, trombone) and Written B♭ Trumpet pitch, with valve fingerings & key signatures.

Rule of thumb: Add 2 sharps / transpose UP 1 whole step

Concert Pitch (Piano)	B♭ Trumpet (Play)	Valves	Key Signature Shift
C/ B♯	D	1 - 3Valves 1 & 3 (Extend 3rd slide)	C Major (Natural) → D Major (2 Sharps: F♯, C♯)
D♭/ C♯	E♭/ D♯	2Valve 2	D♭ Major (5 Flats) → E♭ Major (3 Flats: B♭, E♭, A♭)
D	E	1 - 2Valves 1 & 2 (or Open 0 in high octave)	D Major (2 Sharps) → E Major (4 Sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯)
E♭/ D♯	F/ E♯	1Valve 1	E♭ Major (3 Flats) → F Major (1 Flat: B♭)
E/ F♭	F♯/ G♭	2Valve 2	E Major (4 Sharps) → F♯ Major (6 Sharps)
F/ E♯	G	0Open (No valves)	F Major (1 Flat) → G Major (1 Sharp: F♯)
F♯/ G♭	G♯/ A♭	2 - 3Valves 2 & 3	F♯ Major (6 Sharps) → G♯ / A♭ Major (4 Flats)
G	A	1 - 2Valves 1 & 2	G Major (1 Sharp) → A Major (3 Sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯)
A♭/ G♯	B♭/ A♯	1Valve 1	A♭ Major (4 Flats) → B♭ Major (2 Flats: B♭, E♭)
A	B/ C♭	2Valve 2	A Major (3 Sharps) → B Major (5 Sharps)
B♭/ A♯	C/ B♯	0Open (No valves)	B♭ Major (2 Flats: B♭, E♭) → C Major (Natural / No accidentals)
B/ C♭	C♯/ D♭	1 - 2Valves 1 & 2 (or 1-2-3 low octave)	B Major (5 Sharps) → C♯ / D♭ Major (7 Sharps / 5 Flats)

Concert to B♭ Trumpet

Always transpose UP one whole step (Major 2nd) and add 2 sharps (or subtract 2 flats). For example: Concert B♭ becomes Trumpet C (Open).

Reading Piano or Flute Scores

When sightreading directly from a C score or hymn, imagine every note shifted up one line or space on the staff, adding two sharps to the key signature.

Band Director Pitch Callouts

When your conductor asks the band to tune to “Concert B♭”, play your written C. For “Concert F”, play your written G.