Trumpetbully - Fundamental Note Positions for Brass Instruments

Fundamental Note Positions for Brass Instruments

For example, look at the red dots above. These dots represent the nodes and antinodes for the 5th natural note (on the trumpet, that would be e2); simply mark the position exactly in the center of the grey or white regions along the n5 line. The distance can by found on the left side of the chart.

• "Length" = Instrument length from the mouthpiece rim to the end of the bell, with instrument tuned.
• When possible, adjust the middle of the instrument to minimise affecting multiple notes. Leave the bell and mouthpiece alone!
• The longer the wave, the greater the area of change needs to be to experience a result.
• This tool shows the fundamental tones, or "open" notes. That is, notes made by not manipulating the length of the instrument with valves or slides. For example, to see the tone positions for "1st position" or "2nd valve", add the length of the 2nd slide (or in the case of the trombone, the additional length that 1st position adds) to the overall length of the instrument. For additional valve combinations or lide positions, follow the same procedure. Do not forget to adjust the instrument key when doing so to avoid confusion.

"...Schilke and Boosey and Hawkes (Smith, R.A. & Daniell, G.J., Nature 262, p. 761-765, 1976.) have developed techniques where the intonation of a trumpet can be improved. Both are based on the original work attributed to Mahillon (Belgium) and Blaikley (England) towards the end of the 19th century, who found that small changes in the bore cross section near a pressure node (zero) or antinode (maximum) of the standing wave would change the resonance frequency. (A decrease in area at a pressure antinode produces an increase in that frequency and an increase in area gives a frequency decrease. At a pressure node the effects of changing the area are reversed.)..." http://la.trompette.free.fr/Smith/ITG78en.htm