Q 01/05

In which key is the most common trumpet pitched?

A) B♭

B) E♭

C) C

D) F

Answer · why

A) B♭

It is a transposing instrument, sounding lower than written.

Q 02/05

How many valves does a standard modern trumpet have?

A) Two

B) Three

C) Five

D) Four

Answer · why

B) Three

Some piccolo trumpets add a fourth valve that lowers the pitch a perfect fourth.

Q 03/05

Roughly how long is the tubing of a B♭ trumpet?

A) 0.9 m

B) 1.2 m

C) 1.48 m

D) 1.9 m

Answer · why

C) 1.48 m

The tube is usually bent twice into a rounded rectangular shape.

Q 04/05

What produces the sound of a trumpet?

A) Air blown across an edge

B) A struck stretched membrane

C) A vibrating cane reed

D) Lips buzzing in a mouthpiece

Answer · why

D) Lips buzzing in a mouthpiece

The buzz starts a standing wave in the air column inside the instrument.

Q 05/05

What is the technical term for the shape and tension of a brass player's lips?

A) Embouchure

B) Vibrato

C) Portamento

D) Diaphragm

Answer · why

A) Embouchure

Changing lip aperture and tension lets the player choose among the overtones.