{"id":1125,"date":"2020-09-10T20:48:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T01:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundadventurer.com\/?p=1125"},"modified":"2023-03-22T06:23:11","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T11:23:11","slug":"how-to-tune-trumpet-with-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/soundadventurer.com\/how-to-tune-trumpet-with-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Tune Trumpet With Piano: With Step-By-Step Pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Ever noticed that if you play C on the piano and C on the trumpet that they sound different? How are you supposed to tune the trumpet with the piano? Let’s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three easy notes to help tune:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Trumpets can tune to A (1st and 2nd valves pressed) while piano plays G <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Trumpets can tune to G (open) while piano plays F<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pianos can play Bb to match the C (open) position on the trumpet<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Trumpets can tune to D (1st and 3rd valves or just 1st valve) while piano plays C <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Those are some easy ways to tune the trumpet to the piano, but what does a C or F on a piano even look like? I’ll show you and also explain which notes on the piano are best <\/strong>for tuning the trumpet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Tune The Trumpet With The Piano Including Which Notes Are Best<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The steps are simple, but it’s nice to have more detail. I’ll go through the steps using the best note on the piano for tuning the trumpet for beginners and then I’ll jump into detail and other note options (in case you’re not the one playing the piano).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Hold The Trumpet With Your Right Hand<\/strong> (this step isn’t necessary if you are tuning to an open position. If you are tuning with an open position you can hold the trumpet with your left hand.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Play F (the Reference Note) On the Piano<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Play G on the trumpet with no valves pressed<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
While still playing G, with the opposite hand,<\/strong> adjust the tuning slide of the trumpet until the pitches are matched<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Seems simple right? Well… I understand it’s a little tricky to get the hang of. I remember tuning in band was a bit difficult–especially <\/strong>if you’re in a big band room and one poor person is almost jumping on the piano keys so they can be heard over all the saxophones and trombones. In this case, you don’t always get to choose the reference note on the piano that’s being played. <\/strong>Don’t worry, I’ll show you what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step One: Hold The Trumpet With Your Right Hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tuning requires some coordination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are tuning the trumpet to an ideal note (open position) then you can <\/strong>just hold the trumpet with your left hand as normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If, however, you are trying to tune to the piano while it’s playing C or G<\/strong> you have to hold the trumpet with your right hand in a special way <\/strong>that allows you to press the valves while you adjust the tuning slide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to hold the trumpet with your right hand you have to use the hook that’s on the main bore of the trumpet with your pinky finger (perhaps you’ve always wondered what that was used for). Then, you can hook your thumb underneath the main bore of the trumpet for extra stability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
See below for pictures of holding the trumpet with your right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step Two: Play The Reference Note On the Piano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Any note on the piano will work for tuning the trumpet. The trumpet trumpet has to go up 2 half steps higher to match the piano. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example: if the piano is playing C<\/strong>, the trumpet has to play D<\/strong>–if the piano is playing F, the trumpet plays G, etc. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there are some notes that are<\/strong> better for the trumpet to tune to<\/strong>. Ideally you want to tune the trumpet in an open valve position<\/strong> because the valves (especially valve 3) can impact the tuning of the instrument slightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let’s go from best to worst notes to tune to the piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concert F: Best<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Concert F on the piano is G (open position) on the trumpet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably the best note for tuning the trumpet is F on the piano.<\/strong> Pianos are in “Concert” <\/strong>tuning. So when you hear the word Concert F, it just means F on the piano.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concert F is especially good for beginner trumpeters to tune to because it’s in a range that most beginner trumpeters can play and it’s not too low. It’s best to tune to the middle of the trumpeters range<\/strong> (range meaning how high the trumpeter can play), because as the player goes higher or lower, they tend to go out of tune, so it’s best to tune in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also hold the trumpet with your left hand while tuning. Yay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n