Trombone
B♭3 on the Trombone
Written B♭3. Tap the diagram to hear it.
B♭3 is 1st position on the 4th partial. The slide is all the way in — closed, but not slammed against the stops. This partial sits in tune at the standard spot, so it is a good note to check your positions against. This is the heart of the trombone's range, where most band parts sit.
About this note
B♭3 is 1st position on the 4th partial. The slide is all the way in — closed, but not slammed against the stops. This partial sits in tune at the standard spot, so it is a good note to check your positions against. This is the heart of the trombone's range, where most band parts sit.
- Primary fingering: 1st position
- Written pitch: B♭3
- Sounding frequency: 233.08 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 4 — the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure select the partial.
Alternate fingerings for B♭3
- 5th position (5th partial): 5th position. Same pitch on the 5th partial; use it when it keeps the slide close to the notes around it, or for a smoother slur. Both positions are standard.
Trombone fingering data last updated . Every diagram here, in the printable PDF and in the chart image comes from one dataset, so the paper and the screen cannot disagree.