By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
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.
Step2
Do the same thing again keeping your lips close together and produce a long "buzz."
Step3
Take the trumpet's mouthpiece by the small tube known as the "shank."
Step4
Put the larger end in the center of your closed lips. Center your lips both vertically and horizontally.
Step5
Do the "spit-buzz" exercise into the mouthpiece. Sustain the "buzz" for 5 seconds.
Step6
Insert the mouthpiece into the lead pipe with a very slight twist.
Step7
Now do the "spit-buzz" exercise to produce long and steady tones.
Step8
Depress the first valve. Produce a steady tone. This pitch should be a first-space F on the treble clef of your sheet music.
Step9
Lift that finger so that no valves are down. Produce a higher pitched tone. This would be a second-line treble-clef G.
Step10
Produce your best tone. This and pitch control are the primary initial goals.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I've been playing the trumpet for almost 6 years now. The most important thing I can tell you on how to become the best player is to not develop bad habits. It's great to have a teacher that plays that instrument. Ask them if you're doing everything right (even the smallest of details).
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If this is your first try, your lips may start to feel a little numb and it may feel like they are still buzzing. It happens to me a lot. I get rid of it by having a drink of water. If that doesn't work, try pressing your lips together for about 30 seconds. Keep practicing.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 On choosing the right mouthpiece; just because the Bach 7c is the most common, that does not mean it is for you. Someone with smaller lips may need a smaller piece, larger lips may need a larger piece. If you have smaller lips you may need a medium-shallow mouthpiece. For someone with larger lips, a more medium-deep may be perfect. The same rule applies to all other aspects of the mouthpiece.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 For anyone beginning on the trumpet, the best book to get is the Arban. It is probably the most popular and the most complete method book. Everything you need is in here - from beginning exercises to advanced studies and etudies. You'll never outgrow it.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Try not to pinch when you reach high notes. Blow faster and harder, or you won't get anywhere. When you practice, do it only 10-15 minutes and then take a break for about 15 minutes then play again. If you play nonstop, it's not good. Do not press the mouthpiece against your lips hard, but just enough so if someone hits your bell it won't break away from your lips. Hope I helped.