How to Play the Trumpet in a Day

Go to your local music dealer and ask about student rentals., While you're at the music store, you might also want to invest in a beginner's method book., Don't immediately open up the case and start noodling around., Take out your mouthpiece and...

19 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Go to your local music dealer and ask about student rentals.

    Make sure the instrument is not dented and the slides and valves move freely.

    It may come from a nameless brand, but that's fine for starters.

    Make sure it's a "B flat major" trumpet, the most common kind and therefore, easiest to learn.
  2. Step 2: While you're at the music store

    Those books normally come with accompaniment CDs, and also include scales, techniques for playing, and many beginner's pieces. , Instead, close your mouth and press your lips together, crease the corners of your mouth and blow, making a buzzing sound.

    This is the embouchure, the way you form your mouth and lips. , Do this every time you practice, as it gets you ready for playing and also improves your tone quality. , Buzz into the mouthpiece again, but don't press any of the valves yet.

    Do that for a little while until you have the buzzing technique pretty much mastered. , Hold the three valve casings with your left hand. , You'll learn more about these in your method book.

    The fingerings, in order are:
    Low C--No valves (often written as a zero) D--Valves one and three E--Valves one and two F--Valve one G--No valves A--Valves one and two B--Valve two High C--No valves ,, Eventually, you will improve at playing.

    Also look in the back for a fingering chart, a glossary and also additional scales (there are twelve in total). , Ask at a music shop or go online to see if there are any instructors in your area who give lessons. , Begin with a warm up (buzzing in the mouthpiece, blowing warm air through the instrument, scales)and then work on the things that are hardest for you.

    Practice short lines of music at a time.
  3. Step 3: you might also want to invest in a beginner's method book.

  4. Step 4: Don't immediately open up the case and start noodling around.

  5. Step 5: Take out your mouthpiece and buzz into there.

  6. Step 6: Insert the mouthpiece into the trumpet.

  7. Step 7: Rest the fingers of your right hand on the valves (which are numbered one

  8. Step 8: two and three

  9. Step 9: one being closest to you and three closest to the bell)

  10. Step 10: and keep your right pinky either in the air or on top of the hook near the third valve.

  11. Step 11: It's time to learn your first scale

  12. Step 12: the concert Bb (B flat) major scale

  13. Step 13: also called the C major scale.

  14. Step 14: Gradually tighten up your mouth and use more air as you climb up the scale

  15. Step 15: as you can see that different notes are played with the same finger pattern.

  16. Step 16: Start looking in your method book and work on some easier songs

  17. Step 17: such as Hot Cross Buns and London Bridge.

  18. Step 18: Seek a private instructor if you want extra help.

  19. Step 19: Practice for at least 15 minutes a day for at least five days a week.

Detailed Guide

Make sure the instrument is not dented and the slides and valves move freely.

It may come from a nameless brand, but that's fine for starters.

Make sure it's a "B flat major" trumpet, the most common kind and therefore, easiest to learn.

Those books normally come with accompaniment CDs, and also include scales, techniques for playing, and many beginner's pieces. , Instead, close your mouth and press your lips together, crease the corners of your mouth and blow, making a buzzing sound.

This is the embouchure, the way you form your mouth and lips. , Do this every time you practice, as it gets you ready for playing and also improves your tone quality. , Buzz into the mouthpiece again, but don't press any of the valves yet.

Do that for a little while until you have the buzzing technique pretty much mastered. , Hold the three valve casings with your left hand. , You'll learn more about these in your method book.

The fingerings, in order are:
Low C--No valves (often written as a zero) D--Valves one and three E--Valves one and two F--Valve one G--No valves A--Valves one and two B--Valve two High C--No valves ,, Eventually, you will improve at playing.

Also look in the back for a fingering chart, a glossary and also additional scales (there are twelve in total). , Ask at a music shop or go online to see if there are any instructors in your area who give lessons. , Begin with a warm up (buzzing in the mouthpiece, blowing warm air through the instrument, scales)and then work on the things that are hardest for you.

Practice short lines of music at a time.

About the Author

R

Robert Sanders

Robert Sanders is an experienced writer with over 2 years of expertise in non profit. Passionate about sharing practical knowledge, Robert creates easy-to-follow guides that help readers achieve their goals.

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