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Every part of a Bb trumpet on one labeled diagram, from the mouthpiece to the bell, with a plain explanation of what each part does. Plus how a trumpet makes its sound, how the three valves change the notes, and how to look after it.
The short answer
- A trumpet is one long brass tube, folded into a loop so it is easy to hold. It starts narrow at the mouthpiece and ends wide at the bell.
- The air travels from the mouthpiece, down the leadpipe, around the main tuning slide, through the three valves and out of the bell.
- The three valves each add a short extra loop of tubing, called a valve slide. A longer tube plays a lower note.
- The sound starts with your lips. You buzz them into the mouthpiece, and the trumpet turns that buzz into a clear, loud tone.
Knowing the names of the parts makes the first months of band much easier. A band director will say things like "pull your main slide out a little," "empty your water key," or "check that your second valve is in the right way round." This guide walks along the trumpet the same way the air does, from the mouthpiece to the bell, and explains what each part does and why it matters to the way your trumpet plays.
The mouthpiece and leadpipe
- Mouthpiece. The small, removable metal cup you press your lips against. It has a rounded rim that rests on your lips, a cup where your lips buzz, and a narrow shank that slides into the trumpet. Mouthpieces come in different sizes; most beginners start on a medium size such as a 7C, which is often the one supplied with a student trumpet.
- Mouthpiece receiver. The short tube the mouthpiece slides into. Push the mouthpiece in with a gentle twist. Never tap or hit it in, or it can get stuck.
- Leadpipe. The long, slowly widening tube that runs from the mouthpiece receiver to the main tuning slide. It is the first stretch of tubing your air travels through, and its shape has a big effect on how freely the trumpet blows.
- Finger hook. Also called the pinky ring. The small hook on top of the leadpipe, near the valves. It lets you hold the trumpet with one hand, for example while turning a page. Most teachers ask students to keep the little finger resting on top of the hook, not inside it, while playing, so the other fingers stay free and relaxed.
The main tuning slide and water keys
- Main tuning slide. The large U-shaped loop at the front of the trumpet. Pulling it out makes the trumpet slightly longer, which lowers the pitch; pushing it in raises the pitch. This is how you tune to the band. It stays put while you play; you only move it when tuning.
- Water key. Also called the spit valve. A small lever on the main tuning slide that opens a tiny hole. The warm air you blow turns to water inside the cold tubing (it is mostly condensation, not spit). When the trumpet starts to sound gurgly, press the water key and blow gently to push the water out. Many trumpets have a second water key on the third valve slide.
The valves
- Valves. A Bb trumpet has three piston valves in a row. The first valve is the one closest to you, the second is in the middle, and the third is closest to the bell. You press them with the first three fingers of your right hand.
- Valve casings. The three upright tubes that hold the valves. Your left hand wraps around them to hold the trumpet.
- Pistons. The metal plungers inside the casings. Each piston has holes drilled through it. When it is up, the air goes straight through; when you press it down, the holes line up with a different path, and the air is sent around that valve's extra loop of tubing.
- Finger buttons. The round pads on top of each piston, where your fingertips press.
- Valve caps. The screw-on caps at the top and bottom of each valve casing. You unscrew the top cap to lift the piston out and oil it. The bottom caps can be removed for cleaning.
- Valve guides. A small tab on each piston that runs in a groove inside the casing, so the piston can only go back in one way. If the trumpet suddenly will not play after oiling, a piston is usually in the wrong casing or turned the wrong way. The pistons are numbered so you can put each one back where it came from.
The valve slides
- First valve slide. The loop attached to the first valve. Most trumpets have a thumb saddle (a small U-shaped hook) on it for your left thumb. Pushing it out with your thumb lowers a few notes that tend to play sharp.
- Second valve slide. The shortest loop, on the second valve. It is not moved while playing.
- Third valve slide. The longest of the three valve slides, on the third valve. It has a finger ring for the ring finger of your left hand. Sliding it out brings low D and low C sharp down into tune, because those notes play sharp when you hold down the first and third valves together, or all three.
- Braces. The small metal bars joining the tubes together. They make the trumpet strong enough to survive a band room.
The bell
- Bell. The wide, flared end of the trumpet. It lets the sound out and spreads it into the room. The shape and size of the bell have a lot to do with whether a trumpet sounds bright or warm.
- Bell rim. The rolled edge around the end of the bell. It stiffens the thin metal and protects it. Dents here are common, so set the trumpet down carefully.
How a trumpet makes its sound
A trumpet does not have a reed or a string. The sound starts with your lips. You press them lightly together inside the mouthpiece and blow, so they vibrate very quickly. Trumpet players call this a buzz. On its own, a buzz sounds like a small, rough raspberry. Inside the trumpet, it makes the column of air in the tubing vibrate, and the tubing and bell turn it into a full, ringing note.
The same tube can play many notes without pressing any valves at all. Tighter lips and faster air give a higher note; looser lips and slower air give a lower one. Brass players call these natural notes partials. A bugle has no valves at all and plays only these natural notes, which is why bugle calls use just a handful of pitches.
How the valves change the notes
The valves fill in the gaps between the natural notes. Each valve, when pressed, sends the air through its own extra loop of tubing. A longer tube plays a lower note.
- First valve lowers the note by a whole step (two half steps).
- Second valve lowers the note by a half step.
- Third valve lowers the note by one and a half steps (three half steps).
Pressing valves together adds their loops together. That gives seven combinations: no valves, 2, 1, 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 1 and 3, and all three. Each one lowers the note by one more half step, from zero up to six. Put those seven together with the natural notes from your lips, and you can play every note in the trumpet's range.
Two different notes can use the same fingering. Open (no valves) plays C, G and the higher C, for example. Your lips and air choose which one comes out. That is why trumpet players practice long tones and lip slurs as much as they practice fingerings.
What "Bb trumpet" means
Almost every school band trumpet is a Bb trumpet (said "B-flat"). When you play the note written as C, the trumpet sounds a concert Bb, one whole step lower. Band music for trumpet is written with this in mind, so you just read the music in front of you. It only matters when you play with a piano or a guitarist from their music; then someone has to move the notes up or down a step.
How to hold a trumpet
Your left hand holds the trumpet. Wrap it around the valve casings, put your left thumb in the first slide saddle and your ring finger in the third slide ring. Your right hand plays the valves. Rest your right thumb under the leadpipe between the first and second valves, curve your fingers, and place the pads of your first three fingers on the finger buttons. Keep the right hand light; the left hand carries the weight.
Basic trumpet care
- Oil the valves. Every few days of playing, unscrew a top valve cap, lift the piston halfway out, add two or three drops of valve oil, and slide it back in. Turn it gently until you feel the valve guide click into place, then screw the cap back on. Do one valve at a time so the pistons never get mixed up.
- Grease the slides. A little tuning slide grease on the main tuning slide keeps it moving smoothly and airtight. The first and third valve slides move while you play, so they get a lighter slide grease or slide oil.
- Empty the water. Open the water key whenever the sound gets gurgly, and before you put the trumpet away.
- Clean the mouthpiece. Rinse it in warm water and run a mouthpiece brush through it about once a week.
- Give it a bath. Every month or two, take the valves and slides out and wash the body in lukewarm water with a little mild dish soap. Run a flexible cleaning snake through the tubing, rinse, dry, then oil and grease everything again. Use lukewarm, not hot, water, which can harm the lacquer.
- Use the case. When you are not playing, the trumpet goes in its case with the latches closed. Never leave it on a chair, where it can get sat on or knocked off.
- Stuck mouthpiece? Do not use pliers. A repair shop has a special tool that pulls it out without damage, usually in a minute.
Most of these supplies come together in a brass care kit; see our brass accessories.
Trumpets to learn the parts on
Every trumpet below has the parts described in this guide, and each comes with a case. Prices and stock update automatically.
| Trumpet | Finish | Good for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stagg WS-TR115 Bb trumpet | Clear lacquer | A first trumpet for school band | $258.99 |
| Stagg WS-TR215 Bb trumpet | Gold lacquer | Beginners; has the first slide saddle and third slide ring shown in the diagram | $284.99 |
| Levante LV-TR4205 Bb trumpet | Gold lacquer | A step-up trumpet for the second or third year of band | $359.99 |
| Levante LV-TR4201 Bb trumpet | Silver plated | The same layout in a bright silver finish | $399.99 |
| Levante LV-TR6305 professional Bb trumpet | Gold lacquer | Advancing players; monel pistons for smooth, long-lasting valves | $479.99 |
See every model in our trumpets section. Choosing a first trumpet? Our beginner trumpet buying guide explains what to look for, and the school band instrument guide helps if your child is still choosing an instrument. Thinking about trombone instead? See the parts of a trombone.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the main parts of a trumpet?
- The mouthpiece, the leadpipe, the main tuning slide, the three valves with their valve slides, and the bell. The air travels through them in that order, from your lips to the end of the bell.
- How many valves does a trumpet have?
- Three. The first valve lowers the note by a whole step, the second by a half step, and the third by one and a half steps. Pressing them in combination gives seven fingerings, which, together with your lips, play every note on the trumpet.
- What is the water key on a trumpet?
- A small lever, also called the spit valve, on the main tuning slide (and often on the third valve slide). Your warm breath turns to water inside the tubing; pressing the water key and blowing gently lets it out.
- What is the main tuning slide for?
- Tuning the whole trumpet. Pull it out a little to make the trumpet sound lower, push it in to make it sound higher. Players set it before rehearsal and leave it there while they play.
- What are the ring and hook on the valve slides for?
- The thumb saddle on the first valve slide and the finger ring on the third valve slide let your left hand push those slides out while you play. That brings a few low notes, such as low D and C sharp, down into tune.
- What is the difference between a trumpet and a cornet?
- Both are Bb instruments with three valves and the same fingerings. A cornet has its tubing wound more tightly, so it is shorter and easier for small hands to hold, and its tone is a little mellower. A trumpet player can switch to cornet easily.