Exploring Pedal Tones (Pedal C to Double C) Trumpet Tips & Tricks with Charlie Porter

Trumpeter, Charlie Porter, demonstrates how correct practice of the pedal register can aid in developing a freer range and more flexibility on the trumpet.
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Charlie Porter is available for online lessons and embouchure consultations. Please visit:
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[@Misnjef]

I practiced pedals so much that my band director switched me to trombone.

[@lenzotrumpet]

Lol that is funny

[@BenOz22]

I practiced pedals so much that I gave up music and switched to bicycling

[@phyxgard950]

😂😭

[@drishd6571]

This was almost cringe but it was so clever. Nice

[@idrisgregory2102]

Sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost the login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@geraldcastiel8567]

@Idris Gregory Instablaster =)

[@idrisgregory2102]

@Gerald Castiel i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@ricoq5766]

Very interesting. the first time I've heard an explanation as to why lower register pedal tones help develop the higher registers. Thanks !

[@docsax7769]

Larger mouthpiece makes a huge difference

[@alexcarter8807]

If you're out busking with a little cornet, it's always a laugh to pop one of these pedal tones out.

[@IAMBENNYBLANCO.]

I have played pedal tones for years, does wonders to improve your tone, endurance & to relax your lips. Some horn players don't utilize them but out of my experience, they are fundamental...in my opinion. great video my man.

[@mused1019]

I keep returning to this clip, because it really is among the most valuable clips for trumpeters I have found. My own practice sessions now always include pedals thanks to this lesson, and my playing has definitely improved because of it. Thank you, Charlie Porter!

[@DedekindMusic]

Excellent. Thanks Charlie. I remember playing pedal tones for fun when I first learned trumpet.

[@matteocomellini]

Thank you! You are great both at playing and teaching!

[@ohyonghao]

Thank you so much, this was a great help for me as I'm coming back to trumpet playing after 12 years!

[@ruariwilson9696]

Thank you very much for this insight, Charlie.

[@hilart]

Thanks for this great lesson.

[@kjjjjjjjj]

Thanks, Charlie, your videos are really helpful!

[@markaustin3801]

Good stuff …12 years later this is still exactly correct. Thank you Charlie 👍🏻🎺

[@asknwclips7672]

Thank you, sir. That was huge help.

[@palmfr]

This makes so much sense. I have only played the false pedal tones. This opens up a lot of my understanding of pedal tones. I'm finding them hard as I start. I will go to work on them daily.

[@anonymoussmith4607]

hows your progress?

[@fredpalmer1984]

@@anonymoussmith4607 Well, that post of mine was 10 years ago. I'm still doing a lot of playing and practicing but I haven't given much thought to the 'real' pedal tones. I do a lot of the false pedal tones and I think that helps me quite a bit. I'm going to have to look into trying the real pedals again. I think I'm much closer to getting them this time around.

[@robertonicolasz]

Thanks Charlie! Your videos were the first I saw when I started playing the trumpet, and somehow everytime I watch them they still bring something fresh to change my playing. Cheers from Brazil !

[@enriquethetrombonist1901]

robertonicolasz same but trombone

[@tetsuyatatsumijazz]

Great presentation and explanation. I also found pedal C is 1st harmonic series for the trumpet last year, but couldn't explain well. Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, Charlie! Cool vid man, very informative!!

[@shadoaksss]

This video helps a lot. Thanks Charlie!

[@danmurphy7621]

good stuff. Havent picked up my trumpet in a few years. You got me wanting to pick it back up.

[@jluisbravo5868]

great video , my register improving a lot now , took lot time but it works !

[@keeganmclean2017]

You are amazing! I have no other words.

[@bensonalderete1808]

Thank you very much, Charlie. I will apply your suggestions right away... I hope I can help my fellow peers as well, from your advice. Thank you =]

[@jybedard]

Cant wait to try this when I get home!

[@LaVozStudios]

I just wanted to say Thank You for your videos! im a beginner and you`ve been helped me a lot! Thank you my friend. tack care.

[@WoodsongTarot]

Many thanks! Great information!

[@damianmarat3759]

Great job Charlie!

[@GBUKMilo]

Flugel is conical by design, the length of the flugel starts small, and like a cone gets bigger toward the end. The trumpet is a constant parallel tubing until the bell. This makes it easier slotting pedal tones.

[@bobcat24]

You’d think the conical bore would make pedals easier, since wider bores are more open with the low range.

[@MaynardFreek]

@@bobcat24 peddle c and below are very easy and generally in tune on flugelhorn

[@user-zx8zk3il4n]

CORRECT... THE FLUGELHORN AND THE CORNET ARE CONICAL BORE INSTRUMENTS... THE TRUMPET IS A CYLINDRICAL BORE !!!

[@gravityshi5224]

it's very useful to new trumpet player thanks a lot

[@IAMBENNYBLANCO.]

Great post...pedal tones are veryyyy important.

[@olivierloriot4571]

Excellent exercice !!!

[@paniov]

Thanks for your clear example!

[@xfcane]

thanks again Charlie thanks to your company through the screen ive pulled my first real, no-123fingered- 3rd slide out- pedal C LOL, and im also really thankful for all your content, its gold! i LOVE trumpet! thank you very much for real... god bless you

[@xfcane]

aalsooo! ive noticed that, opposed to the rest of the harmonic series (and also unlike the pedal tones above this pedal c), the pedal c resonates a lot in the chest, instead of the throat and closer to the roof of the mouth and mpc, as you go higher.... this felt resonating in the chest. its that image to recaall that lets me play it..

[@antoniofonsecatrompet9014]

Amigo. Gracias por todo lo que muestras. Eres muy bueno. Te mando abrazos desde Chile. Colega-

[@cristianmanuk2207]

Thanx bro, awesome knowlege, well explained!

[@qdj252]

Wow, excellent control.

[@tomekp95]

top quality lesson

[@topherb98]

Thank you sir....should help me great with my high register.

[@gasser5001]

awesome video...your off center soul patch was driving crazy though

[@trumpettita]

Awesome! thanks alot!!! You should tour around L.A and Pensacola Fl sometime

[@nrcg2317]

Fascinating, Mr. Porter. Finally, I understand the pedal tones and their importance in understanding and developing notes above them. They're not easy to do. It will take time to get them right. Thank you!!

[@pkosmasjr]

you're a cool cat charlie :) please keep teaching. i'm 46 and just learning (along with my son who is in 5th grade band)

[@BruceXuHasADream]

!!!many thanks ur such a good teacher i like u!!!!!!

[@valerakondratyev6121]

Thanks for good video

[@KleberebelK18]

I watched this video several times. But only now, I understood.

[@michaelgalea]

this video helped increase my range up a perfect 4th... thanks so much.. i love my pedal tones.. i feel great!

[@andrestuaza1390]

Felicitaciones maestro esta interesante su enseñanza. Como quisiera esta explicación en español

[@ElPalomodelaSierra]

Thanks!

[@hilariodaragona4473]

Cool lesson!!! The secret of the top is the bottom!

[@loveleyday]

It's mainly to do with lip vibration. I had the same problem up top on a Bach Strad large bore on a 1C mouthpiece. Try to force the vibration (I don't mean use pressure or hurt yourself), but if you mouthpiece buzz, then do that to try to get the vibration to happen first. Do it quietly too. Don't worry if it's raspy/airy/odd sounding, just get the vibration first. Also, don't overblow, or play for too long up there. Within a few weeks, the notes should start to sound like proper notes.

[@armandogiordano1226]

Hi Charlie. I love your videos, they are all extremely helpful and we all should thank you for all the passion you put in getting this material avaiable on You Tube. Still, physically speaking, I know that true pedal tones are naturally flat on the trumpet in particular, because of it being "not as much conical", thus having not as big of a bell, to shift up those natural frequencies where they need to be. So, we are not playing note that exist, we are lipping up notes that exist and are flat to notes that "should exist", right? I would love an answer from you, thanks in advance!

[@cheche5103]

Thank you so much Charlie, for being so informative with your amazing knowledge and skills a billion blessings always. 🎶🎺

[@thetwomuffin]

Some of the best trumpet lessons I've gotten! This has helped my range so much than I expected, thank you

[@lewlevine9603]

I am so glad that I found this video because that is ME! I have NEVER been able to get the pedal tones from pedal C down to Ab. I do play them with false fingerings (1-2-3) and can easily hit them, but get a thin, airy sound. As soon as I hit pedal G (played open fingering), it is a big fat sound and I can continue down to double pedal C with the correct fingerings and big sound, but not pedal C down to Ab. Why is this? What am I doing wrong?

[@viniciuscomacento]

you're great!

[@jgrudenicstrumpet4369]

Thank you for the video, very easy to understand. Can I ask, how much practice should I be doing to improve? Or better yet I want to be as good as you , a professional Musician.

[@ServantOfTheSon]

ATTENTION EVERYONE! I had never really done anything with pedal tones and my high range was stuck around the Bb below double C, no matter what I did. I took this advice and started on pedal tones, and within a week I was able to reach double C and beyond. Not saying it will be that fast for everyone, but take Charlie's advice! Thanks Charlie Porter!

[@ouruhuru]

Yo Charlie, this vid is really really cool. It's definitley helped me adapt my thinking about range and registers. And I have found that once you get used to playing the octaves slurs in and out of the pedal register, you start to realise how close together everything actually is. My only question to you is, why do you not count double pedal C as part of the C harmonic series?

[@SmeeUncleJoe]

I got a mellophone mouthpiece with a used cornet. Not knowing any better at first, I thought it was just a vintage cornet mpc. It added about an octave and a half to my low register. Unfortunately I can't get anywhere near the upper notes but I can pretty much emulate the bass brass instruments. Funny how much is riding on the mouthpiece used.

[@FrankTheStud]

Hey Charlie, would love an update on this video... I did some experimenting. On my flugel I can slot the pedal with their natural valve combinations with both the flugel mouthpiece and trumpet mouthpiece. On my trumpet I noticed that when using my flugelhorn mouthpiece (Denis Wick 2FL) I could slot the pedal tones somewhat reliably (a little foggy but probably work it out with practice? Perhaps foggyness is from flugel mouthpiece being a cone). Again, this is flugelhorn mouthpiece in Bb trumpet. With my Bach 1-1/4C the notes fizzle out in natural combination but I can play them with false fingerings and can slot pedal Bb to G open and can drop fingers to manipulate others. For me I've found that open slots pedal A and Ab well, then I prefer to use valve 2 for pedal G, 1 for E natural, and can manipulate other pedals down to double pedal C with 1-2-3 (probably all false tones although the sound seems "slotted") and can still come up while doing lip slurs. Anyway here's my question... Do you think that the gear and the trumpet maker have anything to do with this? I know Monette focuses on the "pitch center" and Harrelson is big on "no energy wasted" as far as vibrations go (among other things) and perhaps these ideologies allow players to easily achieve these pedals (among other areas of the horn) with less effort? You're undoubtedly an absolutely amazing player and I have nothing but the upmost respect for you, it's just the only other guy I've met who can slot pedal C legitimately (no false tones) had custom gear. (Monette mouthpiece on some other custom horn) Since I could do it on the flugel mouthpiece maybe it's the actual inside shape of the mouthpiece? (Cup vs Cone?) Would love your thoughts... :)

[@odarrien]

Great video and explanation. I've not yet been able to secure a pedal C, it was only a few minutes ago playing along with you from F down, that I managed to sound the note alongside you. I've been able to reach notes several intervals below however. What I find is that if I play low for a bit I cant seem to go comfortably higher. Like after trying these pedals for just a few minutes, I am struggling to get to top line F comfortably for several minutes. I really struggle to get above G# anyway.

[@samsing2300]

if you're having trouble getting the pedal c out on the horn, practice it on the mouthpiece but keeping the same embouchure like he says. Any one else find success with this technique? Thanks for this video Charlie! happy practicing everyone

[@providief]

just started playing also. look up a book called "a tune a day" (for trumpet). it was recommended to me, i'm finding it very helpful.

[@hvanhaaren]

great to see someone who knows what they're doing blowing loud bassy low notes :) Motivated even more now, thanks!

[@federicogiustni3497]

you're just amazing

[@LaVozStudios]

I want to thank you. im a beginner and you´ve helped me a lot! Thx buddy.

[@rcskyrim235]

Thanks

[@vincenth8371]

Merci !très bon pédagogue 😏

[@BrunoNeureiter]

😏

[@tobaccorich]

Hey man thanks...just got a whisper mute ...i ll look for that book

[@Benjabenja77]

Before reading the comments, I had no idea people had so much trouble with pedals. I play in a brass band, and all the cornets use pedals to warm down...

[@nattipattipumkinpie]

you rock

[@christopherhamilton7311]

Charlie, can I ask this ...... did you have a good high register before taking on and perfecting the pedals?

[@danielramirez7827]

I have noticed that the pedal C is flat as well. Since I play multiple brass instruments when I play a pedal Bb on my trombone its in almost perfect pitch. I believe this is due to that non conical tubing that a trumpet doesn't have even though trombone isn't conical either. I just think that naturally the harmonic series sort of "dies off" in the low register. which is why a piccolo trumpet has a fourth valve so the lower register is in tune. Same with tuba, euphonium, baritone, and even the F trigger on a trombone and F and Gb triggers on a bass trombone.

[@artisfine]

Is your down lip always inside the mouthpiece while playing the pedals Charlie? Thanks for short answering!😀

[@davlippo7]

My analogy with many trumpet instructional videos (as great as they are) is like instructing someone who is 4'-6" tall about how to dunk a basketball in a 10' goal. Without unlimited buzz capabilities no amount of effort is going to make any difference. First make the player 7'-6" tall and then teach them how to dunk. The only way to achieve unlimited buzz capabilities is custom mouthpiece designing which is what I do. Instantaneous improvement is exactly what can happen. It's almost 100% about lip interaction with the mouthpiece. Because we can't modify our anatomy, we are left with only the mouthpiece. Changing the trumpet has very little to do with it. Learning becomes automatic once the buzz problem has been solved. It's like telling everyone to wear size 7 shoes no matter what, just make your foot fit. Wrong answer. We don't all fit into a traditional mouthpiece. Trying that for 40 years didn't work for me. I think someone who can naturally play and buzz easily creates a certain disconnect with a player who can't do it no matter how hard they try. Now you can do it or at least you have that hope and an option.

[@ChrisJericho29]

What are some exercises available that you recommend to help get to the point to play pedal C?

[@mallik503]

I struggle with just playing the pedal c i get some really low not and feel i have to bend up to the pedal C. not sure why

[@MrInterestingthings]

Wow ! I didn't know trumpeters could jump octaves so quickly like you do at the end! Incredible!!! .Didn't know u had that low pedal C. I need to rewrite both my trumpet concerti. Piston didn't get absorbed in my mind. I hope Adler or Kenan discusses false pedals . now cadenza time. I need to watch all yo bids and see more current performance techniques!!! I've never heard this type of trumpet figurations. I need to hear some contemporary and jazz work too ! thanks a lot!

[@moura513]

top! difícil é entender inglês

[@beastmode4865]

I did it yes

[@tyler2484]

You don't need to arch your tongue, per se. It can help if it works for you, I keep my tongue down above high C and use my tongue to shake up there. But the thing is, it works different for everyone depending on embouchure/air/compression from core. Do what works for you! Just don't pull to much so you don't hurt yourself and try different things at home during practice. I play with a slightly puckered embouchure and I stay as relaxed as I can but my core is rock solid for compressed air.

[@georgegarner7966]

are you still using a set apurture for the peddle notes?

[@kalebspell7997]

what mouth piece should I use because I'm using a Jupiter 7C

[@staticPR704]

Charlie I would like to buy your album but its not available on itunes

[@danielramirez7827]

I can't play a pedal C on trumpet, when I try it comes out to like a Bb or A and when I try to lip up it loses its depth. Although I tried this on my flugel horn and the Pedal C is strong and in tune with regular low C, very interesting.

[@bobbyricelatinjazzbigband]

Cool. I left a video response too.

[@ddmusician]

What mouthpiece are you playing on? Or what do you recommend for a mid-highschool student?

[@MinisterMatthew]

which mouthpiece is that? coming back I have a jupiter pocket trumpet with a c7 and can't WAIT to get a nicer one.

[@soldieroftheduck]

I've really been enjoying watching your videos. You are truly a fine musician, and I might add a master educator. Hearing you struggle on some of these pedal tones, even though I know you can play so beautifully, gives me hope! I sometimes listen to the sounds I make and get discouraged, but it's nice to know that everyone is human and experiences the same "ugliness" in the pursuit of beauty. Thank you so much for this.

[@razourblade7235]

How did u hit pedal c? I kept going down to A but I couldn't get higher

[@griffinvonkswalgoperson9499]

I just played pedal c using multiphonics. Otherwise I always go lower. Does this count as playing pedal tones wrong?

[@MeTube7734]

is there any reason why the pedal C on the flugelhorn is easier than on trumpet?

[@TheMurk001]

I simply can't get a pedal C out at all! Pedal G/A are the highest I can go without it immediately skipping to a super flat low C. There's gotta be something I'm missing.

[@omegaseamaster3005]

I just tried it out. You need a godly amount of air going through the trumpet

[@samthousand]

This has been my struggle for years...my G below and lower is super clear and round, but I'm missing basically an entire octave

[@trumpettech456]

The actual resonance of the fundamental is VERY flat on trumpet. Play it flat at first. Charlie is not explaining that.

[@bobcat24]

How are you playing a pedal A if you can’t even play a pedal C?

[@GDM223SR]

@@bobcat24 I'm the same -- I can easily blow a pedal C on the flugelhorn, but on the trumpet, it's different. I blow a relaxed sound like a vuvuzela or an airplane, then refine it to get a tone out of it. However, that note is not a pedal C (concert B-flat), it's actually a pedal A (concert G), and I can gliss easily between our G and A (concert F and G). I can lip it up to a concert B-flat if I *really* curl the lips in toward the teeth (at the center) the way we've been told when trying to play really high notes (e.g. regarding the Warburton P.E.T.E. device). Does this suggest that the embouchure that allows me to blow a pedal G is actually too loose, and that the curled-in "high-note" embouchure is correct?

[@carlostrujillosoundsarts6108]

Can one play pedal tones on a very soft dynsmic?

[@Brian.Martin.Trumpet]

When I first did open fingering, I got a low A, and could drop it down to a G. Do you just drop it down til it goes to a C or what?

[@UnleashedProPlays]

cool

[@jaxjuarros5940]

Is the c right above the staff a double or triple c

[@tobaccorich]

Hello Trumpet people.....can anyone recommend a good book to begin trumpet. I have ordered a whisper mute so i can practice quietly..Thanks

[@MrSelmer1972]

Where can I buy a mouthpiece like you are using in this video?

[@williamsonsmd5646]

When I try to play a pedal C, the A below it comes out with a clear tone and by going down chromatically from there, I can get down to Eb still with a rather clear tone, am I lowering my jaw too much?

[@odarrien]

williamsonsmd I get to the C# then fall to the G# below instead of C (no valves). I just can't seem to get the notes between pedal G# up to and including pedal C.☹️

[@enricocas]

Same here...actually....

[@TrumpetManinNC]

I know this is late, and others have explained it, but that's the actual resonance/harmonic of your horn. Find that clear tone and then, essentially, bring it up as you tone up your embouchure.

[@vanjakranjec9226]

You shouldn't drop your jaw at all, or liping down. My teacher told me that I have to hold my lips same as middle g or low c an just drop my tongue or there will be air in those notes and they won't be clean.