How to Produce a Sound Playing the Trumpet

The trumpet is an upper range brass instrument common in all kinds of bands, from orchestras to rock bands. Brass instrument students must first learn how to buzz to produce any sound. Because the trumpet plays in a high range, the mouthpiece is small and the lips have to be held very tight to buzz.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Form your mouth as if you are saying the letter "M." The corners of your mouth should be pulled back and held tight, and your lips should be close to your teeth.

2. Blow a strong, steady stream of air through your mouth. Keep your lips held close together as if you are trying to keep the air from coming out of your mouth. The air pressure combined with the lip tension should produce a buzzing sound between your lips when the air does come though.

3. Hold just the mouthpiece up to your lips. The mouthpiece should rest on your bottom lip. Make the buzzing sound again, this time with the mouthpiece against your lips.

4. Practice changing your sound by tightening and loosening the lips. Use the corners of your mouth primarily to tighten and loosen.

5. Insert the mouthpiece into the leadpipe of your trumpet. Twist it slightly to the right so that it won't fall out. Buzz again on an open tone, not pressing down any of the keys. Tighten and loosen your lips to change pitch.

Tips & Warnings

• When changing your sound by tightening and loosening the lips don't try to tighten and loosen the pressure at the center of your lips. Keep your lips close to your teeth.