One Handed Trumpet Proposal
Playing a trumpet requires the use of two hands. The right hand is used for pressing the three
valves and the left is used for support and stability and to move the 3rd and 1st valve slide to
correct the tuning on certain notes. We propose a three-part design to allow a trumpet to be played
one handed. This consists of a supporting brace system, extension to the first valve slide grip and
electromechanical operation of the 3rd valve slide, controllable via a foot pedal.
The bracing system would primarily be a forearm brace that supports the weight of the trumpet as
well as holding the trumpet in a fixed playing position so that no additional weight is needed to be
supported by the hand or wrist. Having the forearm brace work alongside existing weight bearing
devices such as the ErgoBrass [1] - allows for more weight to be supported if the player is unable
to fully support the weight of a trumpet (approximately 1.2 Kg).
The 1st valve slide grip will be extended to allow for the slide to be controlled by the right hand’s
thumb. The 1st valve slide is almost controllable by the right hand, but in doing so changes the
angle of the right hand, potentially impeding valve presses. Extending the height of the grip allows
the hand to remain in the correct playing position for valve presses whilst allowing the thumb to
control the first valve slide position.
Example First Valve Slide Grip Extension
Grip Extension
Original Grip
1st Valve Slide
Trumpet
The third valve slide can be moved by a linear voice coil motor, for example the LVCM-019-048-02
[2] or LVCM-032-076-02 [3] motor. Each of these motors is capable of moving the third valve slide
on the trumpet. The comparison table below details the time at which a 12.7mm and 25.4mm
extension is possible in. These values correspond roughly to the positions the slide is needed to be
extended for a Low D and Low C# on a trumpet respectively. A comparison of the two motors can
be seen in Table 1.
Table 1
Time taken (ms) to extend
slide at given distance (mm)
Distance (mm)
12.7
25.4
LVCM-019-048-02
31
44.0
LVCM-032-076-02
15.6
22.5
A recent paper [4] detailed that valve press times are in the region of 50ms for a full depression
and thus indicating the LVCM-032-076-02 to be extremely capable for the task and the LVCM-019048-02 potentially suitable for slower piece as, although within the 50ms time window, takes much
of this time to reach the longer position allowing less time for error correction on faster pieces.
Coupling a linear voice coil motor with a position sensor, it is possible to accurately control where
the slide is moved to. Using a foot pedal to control the movement of the voice coil will allow for full
and accurate control over the third valve slide by the player.
Example Third Valve Slide Linear Motor installation
Linear Voice Coil Motor
Strap to hold the motor
securely to trumpet
Attachment to allow retrofitting without
modification
3rd Valve
Slide
Trumpet
Valves
This approach allows for full player discretion over slide usage and tuning correction and allowing
for alternative valve and slide combinations which can ease playing certain high level playing
techniques such as fast trills. As well as enabling micro adjustments of the slide position to account
for fluctuating conditions that the instrument may be under or to match the tuning to other players
in orchestras and ensembles.
Housing the micro-controller in the foot switch and only requiring the linear motor and position
sensor be mounted to the trumpet minimises any additional weight to the trumpet. Cables can be
routed away from the trumpet and over the player’s shoulder minimising any discomfort cables
may cause. Relying on a wired solution over wireless increases the reliability of the overall system.
Through new fabrication processes such a 3D printing it will be possible to design the 1st valve
slide grip and 3rd valve slide motor in such a way as to be retrofitted to existing Bb Trumpets with
minimal to no modification.
[1] - http://www.ergobrass.com/trpt/eng/eng_trpt_etusivu.html
[2] - http://www.pwr-con.com/lvcm-019-048-02.htm
[3] - http://www.pwr-con.com/lvcm-032-076-02.htm
[4] - L. Jenkins, W. Page, S. Trail, G. Tzanetakis, and P. Driessen, “An easily removable, wireless
optical sensing system (eross) for the trumpet,” in Proceedings of the 2013 Conference on New
Interfaces for Musical Expression NIME’13, (KAIST, Daejeon, Korea), May 27-30 2013.