What is an Ascending Valve Trumpet?
Ascending valve trumpets have been around for over 100 years. They are essentially trumpets built in the higher of 2 keys with a whole step valve defaulting to the “on” position placing the trumpet in the lower key. Played normally everything is unchanged, but when the valve is operated the extra tubing is removed and the trumpet becomes one whole step higher. Notes can be played in the lower key as normal, or in the higher key (valve operated) by fingering the note as if were one whole step lower.
Previous designers have placed this extra valve in a position that requires learning a new grip, however our operating lever is ergonomically placed to be operated from where the left hand index finger normally rests.
Ascending Valve Fingering Chart
Black = normal
Red = with ascending valve (+4)
Whilst this instrument is predominantly a Bb trumpet, when necessary it can double as a very fine C trumpet by holding in the third slide (against the spring) and keeping the 4th valve depressed. This brings the 2+3 notes (Ab and Eb for example) in tune on the C side. We incorporate this feature as a benefit to the recreational player who plays concert band during the week and wishes to play from concert pitch sheet music on the weekends.
Additional Feature - Jaeger Bb/C Ascending Valve Trumpet
3rd slide - sprung out for Bb, held in for C
Bb/C C/D
Advantages of Ascending Valve Trumpets
Corrected Intonation
combinations 1 + 3 and 1 + 2 + 3 are largely abolished
Pitch Accuracy
high F# and high A are open, Ab is 2nd valve
Secure Trills
trills can be played on the same harmonic
Fingerings
alternate fingerings exist for all but two notes
Why an Ascending Valve Trumpet?
The underlying feature of all Jaeger trumpets is ease of playability. We believe trumpet players need all the help possible to get the music out. The ascending valve design solves so many playing issues that it is hard to imagine why it did not become the standard. Not only is the Jaeger ascending valve trumpet a great solution to many difficult technical issues, it plays and feels like a Jaeger!
Mobile Slides
The design of ascending valve instruments predates mobile 1st and 3rd slides and is an alternate to them. Although these can be fitted on request, our recommendation is to make the 1st and 3rd slides deliberately tight with a ring on the 3rd slide to help the balance of the holding position.
Tuning
Before playing the instrument, it should be tuned correctly. Be aware that you are actually tuning two different instruments, an upper trumpet and a lower trumpet. First tune the upper trumpet then match the lower trumpet to it. Here is our suggested method:
Press the lever (+4); you are now playing the upper trumpet. Tune this upper trumpet in the normal way with the main tuning slide.
Release the lever; you are now playing the lower trumpet. Play open G, C and E and compare the intonation to playing these same pitches on the upper trumpet fingered 1+4 (1st valve plus lever). Adjust the short slide at the rotary valve to correct any difference.
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