Editing Trumpet (section)

==Construction==
[[Image:Trumpet valve bypass.svg|thumb|Trumpet valve bypass (depressed)]]

The trumpet is constructed of [[brass]] tubing bent twice into a rounded oblong shape.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.dsokids.com/2001/dso.asp?PageID=162
|title=Trumpet, Brass Instrument
|publisher=dsokids.com
|access-date=3 May 2008
|archive-date=17 May 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517062732/http://www.dsokids.com/2001/dso.asp?PageID=162
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> As with all brass instruments, sound is produced by blowing air through slightly separated lips, producing a "buzzing" sound into the [[Mouthpiece (brass)|mouthpiece]] and starting a [[standing wave]] vibration in the air column inside the trumpet. The player can select the [[pitch (music)|pitch]] from a range of [[overtone]]s or [[harmonics]] by changing the lip [[aperture]] and tension (known as the [[embouchure]]).

The mouthpiece has a circular rim, which provides a comfortable environment for the lips' vibration. Directly behind the rim is the cup, which channels the air into a much smaller opening (the back bore or shank) that tapers out slightly to match the diameter of the trumpet's lead pipe. The dimensions of these parts of the mouthpiece affect the [[timbre]] or quality of sound, the ease of playability, and player comfort. Generally, the wider and deeper the cup, the darker the sound and timbre.

[[Image:Bb trumpet in parts.jpg|thumb|left|B{{music|flat}} trumpet, disassembled]]

Modern trumpets have three (or, infrequently, four) [[piston valve]]s, each of which increases the length of tubing when engaged, thereby lowering the pitch. The first valve lowers the instrument's pitch by a whole step (two [[semitone]]s), the second valve by a half step (one semitone), and the third valve by one and a half steps (three semitones). Having three valves provides eight possible valve combinations (including "none"), but only seven different tubing lengths, because the third valve alone gives essentially the same tubing length as the 1–2 combination. (In practice there is often a deliberately designed slight difference between "1–2" and "3", and in that case trumpet players will select the alternative that gives the best tuning for the particular note being played.) When a fourth valve is present, as with some [[piccolo trumpet]]s, it usually lowers the pitch a [[perfect fourth]] (five semitones). Used singly and in combination these valves make the instrument fully [[chromatic scale|chromatic]], i.e., able to play all twelve pitches of classical music. For more information about the different types of valves, see [[Brass instrument valves]].

The overall pitch of the trumpet can be raised or lowered by the use of the tuning slide. Pulling the slide out lowers the pitch; pushing the slide in raises it. Pitch can be "bent"  using the embouchure only.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackwell |first=James |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Pitch Bends! |url=https://blackwellstrumpetbasics.com/pitch-bends/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Blackwells Trumpet Basics}}</ref>

To overcome the problems of intonation and reduce the use of the slides, [[Renold Schilke]] designed the tuning-bell trumpet. Removing the usual brace between the bell and a valve body allows the use of a sliding bell; the player may then tune the horn with the bell while leaving the slide pushed in, or nearly so, thereby improving intonation and overall response.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloch |first=Dr. Colin |url=http://www.dallasmusic.org/schilke/Tunable%20Bell%20Trumpets.html |title=The Bell-Tuned Trumpet |date=August 1978 |access-date=25 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225212331/http://www.dallasmusic.org/schilke/Tunable%20Bell%20Trumpets.html |archive-date=25 December 2008 }}</ref>

A trumpet becomes a [[closed tube]] when the player presses it to the lips; therefore, the instrument only naturally produces every other overtone of the harmonic series. The shape of the bell makes the missing overtones audible.<ref>D. J. Blaikley, "How a Trumpet Is Made. I. The Natural Trumpet and Horn", ''The Musical Times'', 1 January 1910, p. 15.</ref> Most notes in the series are slightly out of tune and modern trumpets have slide mechanisms for the first and third valves with which the player can compensate by ''throwing'' (extending) or retracting one or both slides, using the left thumb and ring finger for the first and third valve slides respectively.

Trumpets can be constructed from other materials, including plastic.<ref>''[http://pplaymusic.us/pTrumpet.html P-trumpet]''</ref>