Hold the trumpet with your left hand
Place your left thumb around the first valve casing
Rest your left index and middle fingers around the valve casing
Support the trumpet with your left ring finger under the third valve slide ring if present
Keep your left pinky relaxed and out of the pinky ring unless needed for support
Use your right hand to operate the valves
Curve your right fingers naturally over the valve buttons
Keep your right thumb and pinky relaxed
Bring the mouthpiece to your lips, not your head to the trumpet
Keep the trumpet level or slightly angled downward
Maintain relaxed shoulders and straight posture
Avoid gripping too tightly