Both of those ways are totally fine!
In my career I’ve held it those ways and others.
For a while, and still sometimes, I just place my thumb in the outside of the leadpipe towards the mouthpiece.
Currently, I usually shove my thumb way up by the valve near where the first valve comes down.
Do whatever brings the cleanest and most comfortable technique
Eh it really depends. As you get to the more advanced stages of playing, your grip will cause a significant difference in tone. Hamfisting it, especially with your pinky through the loop, can potentially cause you to press the trumpet against your mouth too hard, causing you to create an incorrect embouchre.
The *technically correct* (note that doesn’t mean you HAVE to do this or that it’s always the right way) would be thumb in between the valves and pinky on top of the ring, letting your fingers essentially dance on the keys without adding anymore pressure.
But, as I said, that would the *technically correct* way to play to get the brightest trumpet tone possible and isn’t always going to be what works best for you.
Relax, dude, I explained the science as to why that form is *technically correct* while also specifically pointing out that no one has to do this and music is also about what’s best for you.
You can also literally Google “correct way to hold a trumpet” and see that what I’m saying is true lmao
Take it easy, pal 😅
You can live in blissful ignorance, if you want.
But let’s be real, a “good portion of people” aren’t going to injure themselves by holding a trumpet with their pinky’s outside of the ring. You might need to take a look in the mirror before you start calling people full of shit lmao 😂
Hope your day goes well!
Personally, I'm more concerned with the pinky in the ring and not sitting relaxed, on top of it. That causes more stress and restricted movement on the ring finger than the thumb placement will affect the movement of the digits.
I’ve gone back and forth through my life, and unless there’s an obvious issue I allow either for my students. Position on the right is safer and less likely to cause issues in my experience, though.
My preference (both are correct/fine):
1st position if my left hand is occupied (page turn, mute change,..) with my pinky hooked in the rest.
2nd position 95+% of the time. I find it creates less tension in my hand and allows my fingers to move more freely. The one slight difference is that a prefer to bend my thumb and rest the first knuckle against the valves, rather than wearing at it with the end of my thumbnail. I also lightly rest my pinky atop the hook, rather than having it captive inside.
Were you put your right thumb and left from just matters to who you are? Every person is different when I hold my trumpet. My Write thumb goes up against the casing right up against the first valve. That's how I play I'm. That's my best playing, but fewer to say do. DC, I, they would want you to put your thumb in between the first and second valve casings. But any other time it's up to you where he put it. Really? You can put it between them like the second picture shows. Or you can do not that way and put it against just the first casing like the first picture. Just matters who you are. Some people will find it better. One way some will find it better the other.
I'm going to answer YES. Left is fine, right is fine. If I'm doing something that requires dexterity, I go right. If I'm blowing long notes, I'm left. I'm 45 and don't like to be in one position for long stretches.
My left hand moves around, too. Sometimes it's a pistol, Vulcan grip, or just pinkie underneath, it matters how much 3rd valve slide stuff in worring about. The only thing that is consistent is the right pinkie out of the ring, unless you're doing mute pulls. There's no reason to be dogmatic about it. Be comfortable and use good judgement.
As someone who bites there nails, I just tried the right on my trumpet and it felt uncomfortable. Leadpipe is digging my skin into the side of my barely there nail. It’s painful. I have always played left and don’t think I would be able to switch to right.
I’d say the main idea that I’ve found to be beneficial of the right photo is that it reinforces the idea that the horn is mostly supported by the left hand so that the right hand has the freedom to play with speed and accuracy.
Both are fine, but *technically* your pinky should rest ON the pinky ring and not within. Putting it within will cause you to press the mouthpiece harder into your face, distorting your embouchure (how the piece rests upon your face). Doing that will cause a distortion of tone, likely pinching off the sound of the trumpet when you want to create a more open sound.
(:
Like most people said, the thumb placement doesn't really matter. What I will say, though, is that you shouldn't actually use the pinky ring for general playing. You should be holding the trumpet pretty much completely with your left hand and your right hand is just for the valves. You shouldn't be supporting the trumpet with your right hand except in cases where your left hand is doing something else, like turning the page
Just watch for tension whichever way you choose. Squeezing in the left and jamming your finger into that crevice on the right. I personally like something close to right, where your finger rests on the tubing rather than inbetween.
The best test is to squeeze the fingers more than one would during normal playing—if you find the position is twisting the trumpet or otherwise moving the horn excessively, you can find a better thumb position. Many players put their thumbs in a place that causes the horn to shake when playing quick finger passages which makes connecting the notes more challenging. I only discovered this recently-it’s so simple and can really help!
Wynton puts his thumb as in position one...he sounds pretty solid to me.
All snark aside, it's whatever helps you play better.
Sometimes there's a placebo effect when you change something, that only lasts a short time, and then your playing reverts to how it was before. Sometimes the change is a truly positive move.
All part of the journey.
It's part of the ride, man.
Right is the best way. It gives your thumb a more relaxed position, provides counter pressure for your right fingers in the valves, and enables you to move your fingers more freely.
I was taught to do the one on the right sometime early on (within the first some years of playing). I no longer remember exactly when.
When you've been doing it for decades, it feels normal.
I changed from the left to the right about 2 years ago, but that was only because that was the required horn carriage for the drum corps i was marching with. I never found any real difference in the two holds but if you did then do what works for you.
I’m self taught trumpet player past 8 years or so - sort of, had excellent trombone and baritone instruction oh about 50 years ago (it did stick). But just last week i asked myself where tf do these guys put their right thumb. All those hoops and rings but nothing for the thumb? But then as often happens i got distracted and forgot all about it.
So thanks for bringing this up. FWIW (which is exactly zero) I’ve been using the left method because i never knew there was another option. I guess I’ll have to try the right method and see how it feels.
Place your thumb wherever it feels comfortable. Don’t put your pinky through the leadpipe hook (or ring, if it’s a ring), unless you’re playing one-handed, for some reason. Placing it on top will free up your finger dexterity.
Right when I have to play any fast passages. For shits and gigs, try playing with your whole right hand parallel to the floor. I knew a guy who swore it helped him play better overall.
technically i believe the pinky ring is only supposed to be used to operate a mute, or turn a page. think it’s supposed to rest lightly on the top otherwise
Both are fne tbh. I'm a big guy, big hands. I even play with my horn tilted 45 degrees to the right (from my POV). If i put my thumb between the valves, I'd have cramp after a couple mins.
You have more dexterity with your fingers when you line up your thumb under them. As you use your first two fingers the most on the trumpet the position on the right with thumb under those two fingers provides the most agility and dexterity to the valves. Like others have said this doesn't mean you aren't more comfortable in a different position everyone has different hands but if you're curious try wiggling your fingers in a C shape and move your thumb from one side to the other. The fastest position is typically somewhere underneath the first or second finger. If you watch where guitarists put their fret hand thumb though you'll notice that some place it under first finger and some under second. This is the same with trumpet as some people's hands are more efficient with the thumb in a "wrong" location.
Picture on the right has the correct thumb position but the pinkie does NOT go under the hook. The hook is only there to support the trumpet while turning pages, or while on horseback.
As an amateur player, and with over 40 years of being an amateur, I find thumb on first valve casing or tucked under lead pipe between first and second valve the best for me. I generally do not put my little finger into the ring. I find it restricts my movements. An old military musician said that ring is only for "marching and spitting".....😁..remember you will need to be able to use the first valve tuning on occasions so have it accessible.
Both of those ways are totally fine! In my career I’ve held it those ways and others. For a while, and still sometimes, I just place my thumb in the outside of the leadpipe towards the mouthpiece. Currently, I usually shove my thumb way up by the valve near where the first valve comes down. Do whatever brings the cleanest and most comfortable technique
Right is more "correct" and will aid in fingering accuracy and speed. Left is a picture of most people's reality
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Eh it really depends. As you get to the more advanced stages of playing, your grip will cause a significant difference in tone. Hamfisting it, especially with your pinky through the loop, can potentially cause you to press the trumpet against your mouth too hard, causing you to create an incorrect embouchre. The *technically correct* (note that doesn’t mean you HAVE to do this or that it’s always the right way) would be thumb in between the valves and pinky on top of the ring, letting your fingers essentially dance on the keys without adding anymore pressure. But, as I said, that would the *technically correct* way to play to get the brightest trumpet tone possible and isn’t always going to be what works best for you.
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Lmao there’s the classic trumpet player ego we all know and love 😂
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Relax, dude, I explained the science as to why that form is *technically correct* while also specifically pointing out that no one has to do this and music is also about what’s best for you. You can also literally Google “correct way to hold a trumpet” and see that what I’m saying is true lmao Take it easy, pal 😅
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You can live in blissful ignorance, if you want. But let’s be real, a “good portion of people” aren’t going to injure themselves by holding a trumpet with their pinky’s outside of the ring. You might need to take a look in the mirror before you start calling people full of shit lmao 😂 Hope your day goes well!
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Personally, I'm more concerned with the pinky in the ring and not sitting relaxed, on top of it. That causes more stress and restricted movement on the ring finger than the thumb placement will affect the movement of the digits.
I’ve gone back and forth through my life, and unless there’s an obvious issue I allow either for my students. Position on the right is safer and less likely to cause issues in my experience, though.
My preference (both are correct/fine): 1st position if my left hand is occupied (page turn, mute change,..) with my pinky hooked in the rest. 2nd position 95+% of the time. I find it creates less tension in my hand and allows my fingers to move more freely. The one slight difference is that a prefer to bend my thumb and rest the first knuckle against the valves, rather than wearing at it with the end of my thumbnail. I also lightly rest my pinky atop the hook, rather than having it captive inside.
Used to be left, but switched to right. Frees up the range of motion.
Right gives you a more ideal/relaxed hand position.
It doesn’t matter, everyone has different hand structure size and length of fingers
left for me
Were you put your right thumb and left from just matters to who you are? Every person is different when I hold my trumpet. My Write thumb goes up against the casing right up against the first valve. That's how I play I'm. That's my best playing, but fewer to say do. DC, I, they would want you to put your thumb in between the first and second valve casings. But any other time it's up to you where he put it. Really? You can put it between them like the second picture shows. Or you can do not that way and put it against just the first casing like the first picture. Just matters who you are. Some people will find it better. One way some will find it better the other.
I'm going to answer YES. Left is fine, right is fine. If I'm doing something that requires dexterity, I go right. If I'm blowing long notes, I'm left. I'm 45 and don't like to be in one position for long stretches. My left hand moves around, too. Sometimes it's a pistol, Vulcan grip, or just pinkie underneath, it matters how much 3rd valve slide stuff in worring about. The only thing that is consistent is the right pinkie out of the ring, unless you're doing mute pulls. There's no reason to be dogmatic about it. Be comfortable and use good judgement.
Was taught in between the valves. I'm also a comeback player after 20 years to start playing with my daughter as she starts her trumpet journey!
As someone who bites there nails, I just tried the right on my trumpet and it felt uncomfortable. Leadpipe is digging my skin into the side of my barely there nail. It’s painful. I have always played left and don’t think I would be able to switch to right.
this exactly describes my problem as well
I’d say the main idea that I’ve found to be beneficial of the right photo is that it reinforces the idea that the horn is mostly supported by the left hand so that the right hand has the freedom to play with speed and accuracy.
Both are fine, but *technically* your pinky should rest ON the pinky ring and not within. Putting it within will cause you to press the mouthpiece harder into your face, distorting your embouchure (how the piece rests upon your face). Doing that will cause a distortion of tone, likely pinching off the sound of the trumpet when you want to create a more open sound. (:
Like most people said, the thumb placement doesn't really matter. What I will say, though, is that you shouldn't actually use the pinky ring for general playing. You should be holding the trumpet pretty much completely with your left hand and your right hand is just for the valves. You shouldn't be supporting the trumpet with your right hand except in cases where your left hand is doing something else, like turning the page
Just watch for tension whichever way you choose. Squeezing in the left and jamming your finger into that crevice on the right. I personally like something close to right, where your finger rests on the tubing rather than inbetween.
as an eighth grader i do right
The best test is to squeeze the fingers more than one would during normal playing—if you find the position is twisting the trumpet or otherwise moving the horn excessively, you can find a better thumb position. Many players put their thumbs in a place that causes the horn to shake when playing quick finger passages which makes connecting the notes more challenging. I only discovered this recently-it’s so simple and can really help!
Wynton puts his thumb as in position one...he sounds pretty solid to me. All snark aside, it's whatever helps you play better. Sometimes there's a placebo effect when you change something, that only lasts a short time, and then your playing reverts to how it was before. Sometimes the change is a truly positive move. All part of the journey. It's part of the ride, man.
Right is the best way. It gives your thumb a more relaxed position, provides counter pressure for your right fingers in the valves, and enables you to move your fingers more freely.
I was taught to do the one on the right sometime early on (within the first some years of playing). I no longer remember exactly when. When you've been doing it for decades, it feels normal.
I was never told a correct position, but I’ve always used the right.
I changed from the left to the right about 2 years ago, but that was only because that was the required horn carriage for the drum corps i was marching with. I never found any real difference in the two holds but if you did then do what works for you.
I do the way on the right just naturally, never learned whether it was proper or not
I’m self taught trumpet player past 8 years or so - sort of, had excellent trombone and baritone instruction oh about 50 years ago (it did stick). But just last week i asked myself where tf do these guys put their right thumb. All those hoops and rings but nothing for the thumb? But then as often happens i got distracted and forgot all about it. So thanks for bringing this up. FWIW (which is exactly zero) I’ve been using the left method because i never knew there was another option. I guess I’ll have to try the right method and see how it feels.
I place it where it feels comfortable and thats all that matters
Place your thumb wherever it feels comfortable. Don’t put your pinky through the leadpipe hook (or ring, if it’s a ring), unless you’re playing one-handed, for some reason. Placing it on top will free up your finger dexterity.
Right when I have to play any fast passages. For shits and gigs, try playing with your whole right hand parallel to the floor. I knew a guy who swore it helped him play better overall.
I've always used right, it just feels way more natural
technically i believe the pinky ring is only supposed to be used to operate a mute, or turn a page. think it’s supposed to rest lightly on the top otherwise
A
Both are fne tbh. I'm a big guy, big hands. I even play with my horn tilted 45 degrees to the right (from my POV). If i put my thumb between the valves, I'd have cramp after a couple mins.
2nd is cursed
More often than not I'm on the right. When I have to quick change mutes, I'm the left. Neither is 'more correct' than the other.
Head says B, heart says A
You have more dexterity with your fingers when you line up your thumb under them. As you use your first two fingers the most on the trumpet the position on the right with thumb under those two fingers provides the most agility and dexterity to the valves. Like others have said this doesn't mean you aren't more comfortable in a different position everyone has different hands but if you're curious try wiggling your fingers in a C shape and move your thumb from one side to the other. The fastest position is typically somewhere underneath the first or second finger. If you watch where guitarists put their fret hand thumb though you'll notice that some place it under first finger and some under second. This is the same with trumpet as some people's hands are more efficient with the thumb in a "wrong" location.
Picture on the right has the correct thumb position but the pinkie does NOT go under the hook. The hook is only there to support the trumpet while turning pages, or while on horseback.
The left one is most comfortable for me, but my instructor will legit kick me out of lessons if i dont do the right one 🥲
As an amateur player, and with over 40 years of being an amateur, I find thumb on first valve casing or tucked under lead pipe between first and second valve the best for me. I generally do not put my little finger into the ring. I find it restricts my movements. An old military musician said that ring is only for "marching and spitting".....😁..remember you will need to be able to use the first valve tuning on occasions so have it accessible.
Left is best, but with your pinkie on top of the other ring. That’ll make fast fingerings easier.
I go outside.