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How to Play a C Major Scale on the Trumpet

The major scale is a pattern that is a building block of much of the music played on the trumpet. The C scale is often the first scale learned by a beginner.

Instructions

    • 1

      Play C as the fundamental tone. C is open--no valves are pressed down.

    • 2

      Play the next pitch in the scale while pressing valves 1 and 3. This note is D.

    • 3

      Proceed to the third note of the scale (E), by pressing valves 1 and 2.

    • 4

      Play the fourth note of the scale (F) by pressing valve 1.

    • 5

      Play the fifth note of the scale as open--no valves down. This note is G.

    • 6

      Proceed to the sixth note of the scale, which is A, with valves 1 and 2 down. Note that these notes are getting higher and you need to tighten your embouchure.

    • 7

      Play B with the second valve depressed for the seventh note of the scale.

    • 8

      The final note of the scale returns you to open valves and the note C.

    • 9

      Play the scale backward so you end back on C, the same note with which you started.

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