Position/Fingering Charts for Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium (Baritione), Tuba, and Horn
Not Your Average Chart
The arrangement of these charts is less commonly seen but very useful. The notes are in a simple grid, organized like the instrument. There are seven columns, one for every position or valve combination. The higher the note on the harmonic series, the higher it is on the column. You can clearly see how the notes go down by half step as you read from left to right. (The French horn chart is simplified to the five valve combinations commonly used.)
I keep this chart right on the stand with students that are not intimately familiar with the layout of the instrument. I constantly point to the chart to show them how what they are playing relates to "the lay of the land". If they play a lip setting too high, I show them on the chart what note they accidentally played, and how the real note is lower. I show them how lip slurs work by singing the slur and pointing to the chart. For beginners, I circle the first few notes of the Bb scale, so they can see the notes they have learned in relation to the whole instrument.
There are two versions of the charts. The “basic” charts are ideal for earlier stage players. Their uncluttered appearance is less intimidating, and more user friendly. They are compatible with books 1 and 2 of typical band methods. They are simplified, with less range, and without enharmonic equivalents. The intermediate level charts are suitable for more advanced players.
