Good grip keeps you relaxed and your fingers free to move quickly.
- Left hand does the holding: wrap it around the valve casings so the instrument's weight rests there. Your thumb and fingers may reach the tuning-slide rings.
- Right hand plays: place the fingertips (not the flat pads) of your index, middle and ring fingers on valves 1, 2 and 3. Curve the fingers naturally.
- Rest your right-hand pinky lightly near the finger hook — don't anchor it hard, or your fingers stiffen.
- Sit or stand tall, shoulders relaxed, bell angled slightly down and out.