However, the main mechanisms for changing the pitch on a trumpet are the valves. There are three valves on a standard trumpet, numbered 1 to 3 from the player's left hand to the right. Each valve, when pressed down, opens an additional tube or tubing loop in the instrument, lowering the pitch of the note being played. The specific combination of valves pressed determines the overall pitch produced.
Here's the effect of each valve when pressed:
1. First valve (closest to the player's left hand): Lengthens the tube by approximately half a tone, effectively lowering the pitch of the open notes by that amount.
2. Second valve: Lowers the pitch by one whole tone when used alone. When used in conjunction with the first valve, it lowers the pitch by one and a half tones.
3. Third valve: Lowers the pitch by one and a half tones when used alone. Pressing both the first and third valves together lowers the pitch by two whole tones.
This arrangement of valves, known as a "B♭-A system," allows trumpet players to play all the chromatic notes within their instrument's range. By pressing different combinations of valves and controlling their embouchure, they can transition smoothly between pitches.