Aligning the Trumpet Valves

This is just a quick article mainly focused at beginners and recalls my own problems when starting out on the trumpet.

When I first began learning the trumpet aged 8 I remember the excitement of taking the instrument apart and seeing the mechanics up close. When the time came to oil my valves for the first time I hastily took the instrument apart, squirted (too much) valve oil over the valves and screwed them in as quickly as possible. Then as I wiggled my new super fast valves I took an enormous breath and holding all three down at the same time blew into the instrument as hard as I could. But nothing. No sound whatsoever. Just the feeling of blowing straight into a brick wall. Immediately, thinking I'd damaged the instrument beyond repair I sheepishly put it back in the case, zipped it up and scurried away. However, I should have known that I'd be caught out soon enough and sure enough it was only a matter of minutes before my Mum insisted on hearing Twinkle Twinkle. Trying to play it cool I fetched the case and re entered the room ready to give my premier solo recital. In an attempt to stall my impending doom I re adjusted the music stand 8 times, rolled up the music, flattened the music, rolled it up the other way, flattened it again, dimmed the lights, suspended a lamp from the ceiling in an attempt to make a spotlight and finally re adjusted the music stand to it's first setting. Unfortunately this process did little to detract my Mum's attention from the upcoming performance and had actually given her time to invite several neighbors round. Now the situation was worse. As I took the trumpet from it's case my knees quivered and now with a thousand (or there abouts) eyes watching me I was to give my performance. Drawing in a deeper breath this time I readied myself to play my first note (a D natural, on 1st and 3rd valves). Then as I took the last of the oxygen from the room I blew out with all my might. Nothing. Not even a squeak. This went on for sometime until the crowd became restless. Some started to boo, some threw rotten fruit (this bit may be an exaggeration). It was however a resounding failure. As the crowds dispersed I remember the pang of fear as my Mums wrath became ever more likely. I had to hope for a miracle. 

And then it came. In the form of my science savvy sister. Just as the bubbling volcano that was my Mum's anger at me breaking something I'd barely had a month was about to erupt my sister gave a sigh and grabbed the trumpet. "Aha" she exclaimed as she removed each valve one by one "they were screwed in all wrong!" The bubbling of the volcano softened. "Here" she said as she handed it back "try it now." 

Down went the valves, up went the trumpet, in came the breath and out came...Twinkle Twinkle. The neighbors had gone, moment had passed but there it was. My first performance. 

Now as I come out of story mode and of course italic font I'll give a quick explanation as to why I found myself in this spot of bother. A valve on a trumpet is the same as any other and must be correctly aligned to allow the air to pass through the instrument. So next time when oiling your valves just make sure as they screw in you twist them until you feel and hear a little click. To test that the valve is in properly press it down and blow through the instrument. There should be no resistance and the air should flow freely. One more tip is to oil the valves 1 at a time. This way when replacing the valves you can more reliably check that each one is correctly fitted.