Good day, all. I`ve recently been given a Flugelhorn from my jazz band instructor to go home and practice over the break. I`ve played trombone for about three years and trumpet for three months, but the flugelhorn only for about three hours. I was wondering, how am I supposed to position my left hand? If anyone has a diagram they could link to, that would also be great.

Secondly, I have want to know if anyone has any strategies about hitting the high notes on trumpet/flugelhorn. I can regularly hit an A above the staff, and on good days I can hit the C. I`ve played the trombone for awhile, but I`m not exactly sure about trumpet emboucher.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Flugel 3rd pipes can vary, as can the placement of valves etc. Just hold you left hand on the valve set so it is comfortable. I have seen some hold it at the lower section thumb up the 1st valve case.

I hold mine with left thumb under the bell section and 1st and 2nd fingers separated from 3rd and 4th by the outlet pipe from the valve set. Find a spot that feels comfortable, and secure. Then get playing..

As far as Trom to trumpet and flugelhorn embouchure changes, well just get playing, and let the brain get things right. Adjust to get the best sound for yourself. Trom to trumpet and flugel is a bad feeling. You really feel like there is no aperture, it feels like the tip of a pen you`re trying to blow through. But you`ve been playing for a little while, so probably over this hurdle. So I would keep on with practice. Your range is OK, and you can play all those horns well embouchure will automatically adjust to the mouthpiece you put on it, Trom to trumpet is the hardest switch. Trumpet/Flugel to Trom is easier. My advice, is to have a good practice routine that shares the changes between instruments.

Your range on Trom should go up with the trumpet range going up. Bass Trumpet (Valve Trom) is a good axe next.