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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Metronome
• Music Stands
• Trumpet Cases
• Trumpet Mouthpieces
• Trumpet Valve Oil
• Trumpets
• Sheet Music
• Small Tube Of Vaseline
• Trumpet Music CDs

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.
2. Do the same thing again keeping your lips close together and produce a long "buzz."
3. Take the trumpet's mouthpiece by the small tube known as the "shank."
4. Put the larger end in the center of your closed lips. Center your lips both vertically and horizontally.
5. Do the "spit-buzz" exercise into the mouthpiece. Sustain the "buzz" for 5 seconds.
6. Insert the mouthpiece into the lead pipe with a very slight twist.
7. Now do the "spit-buzz" exercise to produce long and steady tones.
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.
9. Lift that finger so that no valves are down. Produce a higher pitched tone. This would be a second-line treble-clef G.
10. Produce your best tone. This and pitch control are the primary initial goals.

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.