How to Begin to Play the Trumpet
The stunning tonal range of the trumpet will reward the student with many years of musical pleasure. Ear training, social sensitivity, teamwork, pitch and rhythm awareness are only a few of the positive attributes that are afforded by gaining musicianship skills on the trumpet.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Metronome
- Music Stands
- Trumpet Cases
- Trumpet Mouthpieces
- Trumpet Valve Oil
- Trumpets
- Sheet Music
- Small Tube Of Vaseline
- Trumpet Music CDs
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1
Pretend that you have a small piece of paper on the end of your tongue. Now spit it off. Let the air continue through your lips.
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2
Do the same thing again keeping your lips close together and produce a long "buzz."
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3
Take the trumpet's mouthpiece by the small tube known as the "shank."
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4
Put the larger end in the center of your closed lips. Center your lips both vertically and horizontally.
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5
Do the "spit-buzz" exercise into the mouthpiece. Sustain the "buzz" for 5 seconds.
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6
Insert the mouthpiece into the lead pipe with a very slight twist.
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7
Now do the "spit-buzz" exercise to produce long and steady tones.
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8
Depress the first valve. Produce a steady tone. This pitch should be a first-space F on the treble clef of your sheet music.
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9
Lift that finger so that no valves are down. Produce a higher pitched tone. This would be a second-line treble-clef G.
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10
Produce your best tone. This and pitch control are the primary initial goals.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Maintain good posture so that deep breathing can supply the resource for diaphragm support. This is the secret to playing high register notes and for gaining endurance.
Blow a steady stream of air with medium pressure placing the mouthpiece on your lips "dead center."
Take lessons from a good teacher and ask for tips from other good trumpeters.
Keep your cheeks flat to develop a good embouchure.
Avoid pinching your lips or squeezing the mouthpiece against the lips to play high notes. Play "medium register" notes for now.
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Comments
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asitis
Dec 03, 2010
If you want to play trumpet well, be born with thin lips, otherwise forget it and take up some other instrument. Players possessing thick lips who play well, even exceptionally well, are the tiny minority exeptions, in no way do they constitute the rule, so it's no use looking at individuals. Chances are, it won't be the same for you. Teachers of music in schools still select would-be trumpet players for their school bands by having a look at their lips first. If they are too thick, or unless they can show some natural aptitude, they will usually guide them onto some other instrument. -
asitis
Dec 03, 2010
If you want to play trumpet well, be born with thin lips, otherwise forget it and take up some other instrument. Players possessing thick lips who play well, even exceptionally well, are the tiny minority exeptions, in no way do they constitute the rule, so it's no use looking at individuals. Chances are, it won't be the same for you. Teachers of music in schools still select would-be trumpet players for their school bands by having a look at their lips first. If they are too thick, or unless they can show some natural aptitude, they will usually guide them onto some other instrument.
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Sandy Fugle
Sep 19, 2010
i am going into grade 5 and am playing the trumpet, but i have a short breath and am not that good at buzzing my lips, and every site i go on it tells me a different way to buzz my lips. im confuzed!! does anyone know the real proper way to buzz your lips??
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Elvis De Leon
Jun 03, 2009
Excellent article. 5 stars!
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marttop
Apr 15, 2007
If you want to know how to play any instrument you must put your interest in it and hav a constant pratice that is what i do before agin my own.
