Say that name of the key in your mind and The next step, after you figure out the interval, is to transpose the key signature. FROM Bb TO D is UP a major third, not down. This is very important because getting it backwards will cause you to transpose in the wrong direction. You begin with the horn in your hands and go TO the instrument on the page. The main thing here is to get the “from” part right. For example, if I’m playing B flat trumpet and reading D trumpet parts, I ask myself Gives us an interval and a direction for transposition. You consider the relationship “from” the instrument you’re playing “to” the instrument the music was written for. Or more accurately, it is a “from” and “to” question. The first step is to recognize transposition as a “to” and “from” question. I have a formula that I use to figure out which transposition to use with which horn I’m playing on which part. If you are a real beginner those fingerings up there will not be enough to get your scale sounding good.The following article is one of my oldest trumpet pieces, but also one of my most popular. On the off chance that you got here looking for a major scale that starts on your Bb you want to go to THIS page with all 12 major scales on it. If you’re intrigued, or if you’d like a reason to think that there’s something not-quite-right about the trombone, read this page … (that post isn’t ready yet, but I’m really excited about it) Other Scales for Trumpet The clever people who wrote and printed the music you’ll read in Band class have taken that discrepancy into account and changed your notes for you. The business of being a transposing instrument simply means that when you play the most naturally occurring (open valve) notes on your trumpet ( C, G, C, E, G) they match up with the most important notes of a Bb scale on the piano, organ, flute, bass, etc etc. Because you play a transposing instrument it is also referred to as your C major scale. That’s a subtlety that will become increasingly important and which will help distinguish you as the one Trumpet player in your band who plays in tune. Just put it out about a half inch or one centimeter for the D then pull it right back in.

Learn now to extend the 3rd valve slide for the low D. This scale will work for any instrument built in Bb (like clarinet, tenor sax, baritone Treble Clef etc.) The fingerings for Trumpet appear in tiny text above. Other Scales for Trumpet The Bb Major Scale for Bb Instruments

D flat major trumpet