F♯3 on the B♭ Trumpet
To play Low F♯ (F♯3) on trumpet, press valves 1 + 2 + 3.
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 F♯ is the 2nd.
Play along: hear the note for 2 beats, then you play it for 2.
1-2-3 is the sharpest combination on the instrument, so extend the third valve slide — and the first if yours moves — or the note sits noticeably high. Aim for a low, open lip slot; pinching turns F#3 into a thin C#4.
1-2-3 is the sharpest combination on the instrument, so extend the third valve slide — and the first if yours moves — or the note sits noticeably high. Aim for a low, open lip slot; pinching turns F#3 into a thin C#4.
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 F♯ is written F♯3 and sounds concert E3. It is the 2nd partial.
The lowest note on a standard three-valve trumpet: the 2nd partial pulled down six semitones. 1-2-3 is the sharpest combination on the instrument, so extend the third valve slide — and the first if yours moves — or the note sits noticeably high. Aim for a low, open lip slot; pinching turns F#3 into a thin C#4.
- Primary fingering: Valves 1 + 2 + 3
- Written pitch: F♯3 · Concert pitch: E3
- Sounding frequency: 164.81 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 F♯ on trumpet?
To play Low F♯ (F♯3) on trumpet, press valves 1 + 2 + 3. Low F♯ is written F♯3 and sounds concert E3. It is the 2nd partial.
Is Low F♯ written or concert pitch?
The name on this page is the written note you read. On B♭ trumpet it sounds concert E3.
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.