How to Learn Scales on the Trumpet

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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One of the first things learned on a trumpet is scales. There are various major and minor scales. Scales are important because they are the basis for all western music. Scales are practiced by novices and used by all trumpet players to warm up and tune the horn. Begin with the major C scale.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1
Begin by playing the open note C. You may need a piano, keyboard or electronic tuner to recognize the notes in the beginning. Once the first C is found, the rest follow in a melodic pattern. The C is open, meaning no valves are pushed.
Step2
Move onto the next note and play a D. Playing the note D requires pressing the first and third valves. The first valve is the one closest to you.
Step3
Next play an E. An E is played by pressing the first and second valves.
Step4
Move up the scale by playing an F by pressing the first valve, then an open G.
Step5
Play an A after the G by pressing the first and second valves. After the A is a B pressing only the second or middle valve.
Step6
Finish the scale with another open C. This C will be an entire octave higher than the C you began with.
Step7
Practice this scale often until the fingering is memorized and you can move from one note to the next easily. Once this scale is mastered, you may move onto to simple songs like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or to another major scale. You may also try and continue with this same major C scale by playing D, E and so on after the high C.

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kjv4thee said

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on 11/26/2007 The I love the trumpet DVD with WARREN VACHE the Instructor is really helpful as well. I love playing the trumpet but never got into reading music. ( I'm a little old to start now.) but it really is the way to go.

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eHow Article:  How to Learn Scales on the Trumpet

eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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