Miles Davis. Dizzy Gillespie. Maynard Ferguson. All of these legendary trumpeters started from scratch. They train so hard that they become very skilled. If you're just starting out, start practicing now! Over time, you can show off your skills to friends, join a band, or just have fun. Playing the trumpet is a hobby and a blessing that is beneficial throughout your life.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Choosing a Trumpet
Step 1. Buy/rent a trumpet
Visit a music store in your city and ask if there are any beginner trumpets for sale or for rent. Make sure the trumpet is in the key of B flat (preferably B flat). You may get a different key, but B flat will make it easier for you in the long run. Trumpets may be unbranded, but don't worry, many instruments for beginners are unbranded. Make sure you check the following before renting a new trumpet. Do not forget, the price of a new trumpet is quite expensive.
- Make sure the valve cover is not scuffed or dented.
- Make sure the valve can go up and down smoothly without making noise.
- Make sure all slides can go back and forth smoothly.
Part 2 of 5: Beginning Practice without Trumpet
Step 1. Save your trumpet first
Say the letter “M”, but stop at the “mmm” part. Hold your lips in that position. Now, blow the buzzer in this position. It may sound strange at first, but this is the basic position of the lips to play the trumpet.
Step 2. Follow these tips for a buzzing sound:
Suppose you have a small piece of paper on the tip of your tongue. Stick your tongue out a little, just the tip, and quickly remove the small piece of paper from your tongue and spit it out of your mouth. Your lips should meet each other and produce a raspberry-like sound.
Part 3 of 5: Practice with the Trumpet
Step 1. Take your trumpet
Once your trumpet is fully assembled, inhale through your mouth, position your lips properly, hold the instrument to your lips, and make a buzzing sound using your lips. Do not pre-press any valves. You should feel your lips change in tension as they lock into tone. Don't press the valve just yet!
Step 2. After playing the first note, try to slightly tighten your lips and press valves one and two
Remember, the valves are numbered from 1–3. Valve one is the one closest to you, and valve three is near the trumpet funnel. It should be a higher pitch.
Safe! You've played the first two notes on your trumpet
Step 3. Carry a mouthpiece with you at all times because some people have a hard time mastering the steps of humming sounds
If you buzz into the mouthpiece correctly, the sound produced is also appropriate. It may sound like Donald Duck, but it means you've got it right.
Part 4 of 5: Learning the First Scale
Step 1. This section uses notes from other sites to help with your study
You may notice that the tones on this page differ from those of the site. This is because the note names on the site are for piano, not trumpet. The notes are transposed to suit the trumpet. You'll learn more when you're a bit advanced.
Step 2. Learn the first scale
A scale is a series of notes that go up or down sequentially with a certain interval scheme.
Step 3. Play the first note
Visit https://www.musikit.com/Merchant2/SOUND/Midi/Bb3.mid. Play this note on the trumpet without pressing any valves. You will play a C note.
Step 4. Press valves one and three to play the D note
If you can't, try tightening your lips just a little.
Step 5. Press valves one and two
Tighten your lips a little more, and play an E note:
Step 6. Press valve one
Tighten your lips a little more, https://www.musikit.com/Merchant2/SOUND/Midi/Eb4.mid.
Step 7. Next, do not press any valve
Instead, purse your lips a little more, and play a G note:
Step 8. Press valves one and two, tighten your lips a little more, and play an A note:
www.musikit.com/Merchant2/SOUND/Midi/G4.mid.
Step 9. Press valve two only
Tighten your lips a little more, and play a B note:
Step 10. Finally, remove all the valves and play a high C note:
www.musikit.com/Merchant2/SOUND/Midi/Bb4.mid.
Step 11. Congratulations
You have played the first C scale with the trumpet, which is also called the " Concert B flat " scale. However, you will learn more when you study with a music book.
Next, you should learn the Concert E flat scale. This scale has higher notes and is a bit difficult at first. However, with practice, patience, and professional help, you can achieve these high notes too. Once you are good at playing the E flat scale, move on to a higher or lower scale
Part 5 of 5: Practice and Proceed to the Next Level
Step 1. Practice as much as possible
Try to exercise for at least 15 minutes every day, although it is recommended to train for an hour each day if your stamina can afford it. When you're just starting out, especially when you're only playing one scale, 15 minutes should be enough.
Step 2. Buy a trumpet music book for beginners
The instructions in the book will be more in-depth than this article. This article only teaches one of the 12 scales, whereas a music book has two or three, as well as a few songs, before you move on to another book or sheet music. Fight! The trumpet is a fine instrument that takes practice to play well.
Good books for beginners are Rubank Elementary Methods for B flat Trumpet or Cornet, or Getchell. Check with bookstore employees in your city for these books
Tips
- If at any time you feel your lips are going to bleed, or if you feel a tear in your lip, stop playing immediately. If you force it, your lips will hurt even more and ruin your game for up to a week, if not more.
- Make sure your back is straight and your feet are flat on the floor. Also, breathe from your belly (not your chest) before starting.
- Before starting to play the trumpet, blow air into the trumpet mouthpiece, to "warm up" the instrument and ensure proper embouchure.
- Again, here are the notes of the C scale: C (open), D (first and third), E (first and second), F (first), G (open), A (first and second), B (second), C (open)
- To achieve a high note, don't tighten your lips, strengthen your corners! A common mistake that wind instrument players make is tightening their lips to increase muscle tension. It is better to flex the corners of the mouth and use the muscles of the sides of the mouth to support the vibration of the lips.
- If you are serious about growing and developing as a trumpeter, private lessons will be very helpful. It's a good idea to take the time to find a good tutor, full of knowledge, and not boring.
- Once you've learned to play the trumpet for a while and move on to more difficult music, you'll realize that you shouldn't start playing high notes right after you get your trumpet out. This is because your lips are not hot enough. Play low notes to warm up without damaging your lips, e.g. C, D, E, F, G, then back again. After warming up for some time, you can already play your high. Also, don't practice buzzing because it will become a habit. Just blow the air, and the sound will be crisper.
- The most important tip is to find a competent teacher.
- If you are blowing the trumpet and the sound is missing or very low, make sure you are blowing correctly. If the blow is correct, chances are the valve is not installed properly. Grasp the top of the knob and slowly turn the valve until it stops. Your problem should be solved. If not, take the trumpet to a shop and have it repaired.
- It is easier to inhale through the nose and get warm air. However, breathe through your mouth to get air faster.
- Your trumpet may have something similar to a pinky ring. This ring is used by experienced players. Its function is to set the tone that holds the third valve better.
- Once in a while, you should warm up by inhaling (through your nose) steadily for 8 beats and exhaling for 8 beats, then inhale for 4 beats, exhale for 4 beats, then inhale 2 beats, exhale 2 beats, inhale 1 beat, exhale 1 knock. Your shoulders should not rise as you inhale and your diaphragm should expand.
- If you see a reddish substance on the trumpet that is not rust, it is most likely redrot. The redrot will turn into a hole. If the redrot is on the slide, the replacement cost may still be affordable. However, apart from the slides, they can be quite expensive. To prevent this, don't eat candy or gum before playing. Redrot is also a side effect of the old trumpet.
- Try placing the mouthpiece in the center of your lips. If you wear braces or anything else on your teeth, the mouthpiece can be adjusted higher or lower. Don't get used to this. Over time, you will not be able to play the trumpet with the correct placement of the mouthpiece.
- If you wear braces, be very careful when practicing, especially when you're just starting out. You can request wax from your dentist, which may be provided free of charge. Use it before playing the trumpet, and your lips won't be scratched. Plus, dentists have plastic that's cleaner than wax strips for the size of your braces, and the installation is painless! Best of all, once your braces are removed, you can still play the trumpet without having to loosen your lip callus!
Warning
- Never play after eating! The food will stick to the trumpet and damage it.
- While playing, make sure you don't press the mouthpiece too hard against your lips to hit the high notes.
- Don't force your lips. Practice consistently, not constantly. Try to train at least 3 times a week, and don't forget to alternate it with rest.
- Don't get too frustrated. If you are frustrated, take a deep breath before trying again.
- Find music that you like and that fits your range and ability.
- Do not drop or damage the trumpet. The price is quite expensive.
- If you want to get rid of a bad habit of playing the trumpet, stick a reminder note on the trumpet bell so you can see it, but your teacher doesn't. Release your notes for two weeks or until you feel the habit is gone.
