5 Areas Where Most Trumpet Players Go Wrong- #5 “Fingering”

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Some may ask, “What could go wrong when fingering? You push the valves down and they come back up. Although this statement is very true, improper fingering or inadequate practice of fingering can lead to several playing faults.

Here are a few bad habits and voids when practicing to improve your fingering I have observed through several decades as a trumpet teacher.

1. Valves go down too slow

Many players equate slow tempi with slow valve action. WRONG!

As Doc Severinsen has always stressed; “Bang the valves down at all times”.

As Don “Jake” Jacoby always said, “Bang the valves down at all times”.

In order to perform clean changes between notes, your valves must go down with speed. If changes are not made quickly, the movement between notes produces an unclear or smeary transition.

2. Practice must be spent improving the actions of your third finger as well as your first and second. Compare your control and speed of a trill from second line G to the A just above with the A being fingered third valve. Now compare a trill from F# first space to the G just above that. If you think that the actions and strength of your third valve finger is equal to the speed and smoothness of your second valve finger, one of two things may be the reason. 1. You are the exception to the rule or, 2. You are kidding yourself.
The farther your fingers are from your thumb, the less movement and control you have and because of this fact, additional finger exercises need to be implemented in order for you to be proficient in adequate valve movement.

One of the very best books to improve your valve coordination is the Herbert L. Clarke ”Technical Studies for Cornet” book. Every key is represented in this wonderful collection and as you continue to practice out of it, your fingering will continue to improve. If you feel that your third valve finger needs additional improvements, concentrate on the exercises which include the most third valve fingered notes. My favorite exercises are as follows-

Second Study- #31 & #38
Third Study- #47, #51, #56 & #60
Fourth Study- #71, #74, & #78

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

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