Scales are an important part of playing any instrument. It helps you play in different pitches and keys. The B major scale is tricky as it involves five sharp notes (F, C, G, D and A). With the help of this article however it should be a piece of cake!
Steps
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1Play your first note. The first note of a B major scale is obviously, B. Low B is the lowest note playable on a trumpet with the second valve down. Put the second valve down and buzz into the instrument as low as you can.
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2Press all three valves down to play C#. C# should be higher than B and C natural but lower than D. Buzz that note into the instrument.Advertisement
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3Play D# next. That note is played with the second and third valves (the two closest to the bell). Again, it should be higher than the previous note. If played too high, D# can sound like high A flat and if played too low, it can sound like low A flat. Play it at the suitable pitch.
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4Put down the first and second valves for E. E is a semitone higher than D#, which is not much. Seeing as the notes are similar, you don't need to change the shape of your lips, only the fingering of the notes.
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5Remove your finger from the first valve to play F#. Like B, F# is played with the second valve. Don't play too low or it will sound like B. The notes should be getting higher each time.
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6Put the second and third valves down again and play a bit higher to play G#.
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7Switch your fingering to just the first valve to play A# (more commonly known as B flat). A# (B flat) should sound higher than F natural, but lower than high D.
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8Move up a semitone to B by pressing down the second valve instead of the first valve. That should be the highest note in your scale and sound like the first note, only an octave higher.
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9Play the same notes but in reverse order (from highest to lowest). It is important that you know how to play going up scales and going down.
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10Practice. It may seem complicated at first but it is bound to get easier as you practice.Advertisement
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Tips
- To summarize, the notes of the scale are B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A# and B'.Thanks
- Keep in mind the rule about flats and sharps: C# and D flat are the same note, D# and E flat are the same note, F# and G flat are the same note, G# and A flat are the same note, and A# and B flat are the same note. They just all get referred to as sharps in this scale.Thanks
- Don't confuse this scale with B flat scale they are different.Thanks
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