Why is my trumpet buzzing

[CJceltics33]

My trumpet buzzed quite noticeably on certain notes and it’s been doing it for a few weeks now. Always on middle and low A, sometimes on top F, B flats, low G’s, and low F sharps. These are all first valve combinations. What can be going on and how can I fix it?

It is the horn btw, had my teacher test it. He didn’t know what could cause it.

[Evinerate]

I had this experience in a number of vintage cornets and trumpets, can be frustrating.

Common causes

-Loose solder joints on first valve slide

-Very tiny holes somewhere on the first valve slide.

-Loose valve top and bottom caps (especially if the horn is bottom sprung)

-Worn or improper 1st valve spring installation



Extreme cases

-slight damage to the first valve porting holes or an actual hole in the porting of the first valve piston itself.

[bhornFree]

[Turkle]

My trumpet used to buzz when I played a low "A" with the plunger mute. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why.

Turns out the first valve slide was a little too loose and it rattled - and the only time it was free to do so was when my left hand was holding a plunger, rather than the trumpet.

Two rubber o-rings on the first valve slide solved the issue right away.
_________________
Yamaha 8310Z trumpet
Yamaha 8310Z flugel
Curry 3.

[Flip Oakes]

Try putting thicker slide grease on you 1st slide.
_________________
Flip Oakes “Wild Thing Trumpets”
2559 Mottino Dr.
Oceanside, Ca. 92056-3421
760-643-1501


Delivering the distinctive Wild Thing Sound since 1994

[Venturi]

Really like the idea of holding different components to see which one stops the buzz. Fine ideas above. A few other suspects to consider, each of which I have seen over the years:

Loose top and barrel of any valve - try tightening all three.
Loose wire in the bell bead -- they can become un-soldered.
Piece of loose solder within a hollow brace/stay.
Loose backbore/top if you use a two-part mouthpiece like Warburton.
Something inside the bell crook -- maybe a bath is in order.

The problem may or may not be your first valve -- resonances can be affected by a variety of things, some as simple as your grip. Hope you solve the mystery and let us know what it was.

[kfeldt]

[BraeGrimes]

[Venturi]

Wondering whether CJceltics33 has been able to solve the problem (?)

[kehaulani]

This probably doesn't pertain to the OP but it's humorous and is true.

The UNT Band was on tour and the first two nights a friend of mine kept getting a metallic sound from his horn. He kept looking at it and couldn't figure it out.

The second night, he slammed his cornet on his thigh and a "church key" fell out of the bell, LOL!
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[mrhappy]

[kehaulani]

For those who may not know, "church key" is a small, metal (beer) can opener.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[etc-etc]

Detritus in 1st valve ports, slide or piston holes.

Improperly positioned 1st valve spring.

Loose top or bottom cap.

Worn out valve guide.

[mrhappy]

[mrhappy]

[Venturi]

Thought I would try again, just because I'm curious:

Wondering whether CJceltics33 has been able to solve the problem (?)

[Ed Kennedy]

[Croquethed]