How To Play High Notes On Trumpet (14 steps)?

Want to play high notes on trumpet? That’s not quite worrisome.

To learn to play high notes, all you need is support, practice, embouchure and quality air.

That’s when you’ll be able to play in the upper register.

But you are a new trumpeter and don’t know exactly what to do. Well, don’t be tensed.

​Confused about which trumpet is good for you? Then this trumpet guideline will help you.

You’ll know about playing high notes step by step by this article.

​So, read through it and be an accomplished trumpeter.

Guidelines To Play High Notes On Trumpet :

trumpet high notes exercises

To help you learn high notes playing a complete guideline is here for you.

Read and follow the steps and play high notes on your trumpet.

Step -1


Firstly, Pick up your trumpet. Then, inhale about three or four trumpet breaths.

Lastly, Set the mouthpiece at your mouth and blow through it. Keep blowing till you hear the air buzz.

​Note: Don't forget to clean the trumpet mouthpiece regularly.

The buzzing sound indicates if the provided amount of energy and air are sufficient or not.

However, to play high notes actually, it requires quite a small amount of air.

Step -2


If you have hearing problems, use a piano to play the notes. For this, at first play only one note by the mouthpiece.

trumpet high notes

Then follow the note you played and keep stepping above it. Go on like this at least for two minutes.

Step -3


Now, try to play the trumpet maintaining a scale. Play 3 notes up first.

Then, play five notes up and then play back down. Keep practicing such scales.

Go to the bottom from your middle range, then to the top and again back to the middle range. Thus, you may play a siren also.

If you face difficulties playing higher notes, don’t stress yourself.

​Practice the primary level first. You can read this article on playing trumpet notes for beginners.

​Keep up practicing. Eventually, you will be able to play the high notes.

Step -4


Fix the mouthpiece in the trumpet. At first, don’t play any notes and blow the trumpet for one minute.

Take deep breaths and exhale the with ease. Make sure the air to be warm.

Also, keep the flow of air constant. Don’t pause in the middle of inhaling.

Step -5


Now using long tones, start playing the horn with larger scales. Begin playing with the concert Bb or C scale.

trumpet minor scales

Gradually play the major scale by working up. Work up for about 5 minutes to 10 minutes.

Step -6


Play the arpeggios (1-3-5-8). Further, play the concert note Bb. Do this for about 2 to 5 minutes.

Step -7


You must be quite warm by this time. If you are not quite warm, slur your lips.

Now go playing the notes not higher than concert D or note E.

Step -8


Begin with playing the G note (concert F). Set your metronome to 60 beats per minute.

Hold the G note for four beats which are equivalent to 4 seconds.​

In the next step proceed up at every two beats about a half step. Keep proceeding up till you reach playing high note C (concert Bb).

Spend 2-5 minutes for this. If doing this is hard for you, rehearsal this part.

Eventually, your chops will get strong, and you will be able to move on quickly.

Step -9


Rehearsal for expanding your range by lip slurs. Begin with C and slur up and down with the same fingering.

To reach the center of every note make your slur slow. Now slowly go up the scale.

Approach up by half step. Keep playing high notes you’re able to play.

Step -10


To be an accomplished trumpeter, it requires consistent practice. One time is really not good enough.

trumpet practice

If you rest more, you will lose strength to play the trumpet again. While increasing your scales, persistence is a crucial thing.

Step -11


When you learn to play the highest notes, play them again and again. This practicing is very tedious work.

On the other hand, the result is brilliant. Every time you play the notes, the muscles needed to play builds.

So, make just a little and interesting rhythm, whatever you want to make.

Step -12


Try to mimic the sound made by a trumpet by buzzing your lips. Keep trying until you make the highest pitch buzz.

Follow the same embouchure. Put the line at the lowest playable section of your mouthpiece.

In this respect, the shallow and screamers mouthpieces help very much.

Now blow a small amount of fast air and test how high you can play.

Step -13


Now, breathe in 4 beats and release the air in 4 beats. Then, inhale three beats of air and exhale four beats.

After that, inhale two beats of air and exhale four beats. At last, inhale one beat and exhales four beats of air.

Step -1​4


Finally, try to breathe in 2 beats. Release the air for as long as you can.

Count the time how long you can release by a stopwatch.

Tips & Tricks

  • ​ Don’t force high notes on your trumpet. It may create embouchure problems.
  • ​To help the air flow powerfully, use your abs. Not just blow from your lungs.
  • ​Take enough rest. You need to build muscles to play your trumpet. If you practice too much, then your muscles will not grow instead they will tear down only.
  • ​Check your trumpet and keep clean ​the trumpet.

​Final Words

Now that you know the steps of playing high notes get ready to play your trumpet. Mind the tips and tricks mentioned here.

​I think the article will help you to learn to play high notes on trumpet effectively.

Wish you luck on your journey of becoming a successful trumpeter.

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