C4 on the B♭ Trumpet
To play Low C (C4) on trumpet, press no valves: play it open.
What’s a partial?
With the same valves down your lips can buzz several notes. Each one is a partial, counted from the lowest. Low C is the 2nd.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
No valves: this is the open C most trumpet players learn first, and the band's tuning note. Buzz your lips gently and blow a steady stream of air. If a higher note pops out, relax your lips and use slower air.
No valves: this is the open C most trumpet players learn first, and the band's tuning note. Buzz your lips gently and blow a steady stream of air. If a higher note pops out, relax your lips and use slower air.
Sound and display
Next moves
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Same fingering, different note
Your lips choose between these notes: the fingering stays the same.
More for advanced players
Written and sounding pitch, and how the note works
About this note
Low C is written C4 and sounds concert B♭3. It is the 2nd partial.
Open horn on the 2nd partial — no valves at all, just the lip choosing the slot. This is the anchor of the low register: everything from F#3 to B3 is this same slot pulled down by valves. If it keeps slipping up to G4, the aperture is too small.
- Primary fingering: Open (no valves)
- Written pitch: C4 · Concert pitch: B♭3
- Sounding frequency: 233.08 Hz
- Harmonic partial: 2: the valves set the tube length, but your air and embouchure (the shape of your lips) select the partial.
Questions
How do you play Low C on trumpet?
To play Low C (C4) on trumpet, press no valves: play it open. Low C is written C4 and sounds concert B♭3. It is the 2nd partial.
Is Low C written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. On B♭ trumpet it sounds concert B♭3.
B♭ Trumpet 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.