Trumpet

TRUMPET 

Here is the basic trumpet embouchure (how to form your lips and buzz).

    Here's one of my favorite ways to get a buzz. He's a bit more in depth. Say M, blow through your lips with a small hole, slowly close that hole, and your lips will start "buzzing".

This video shows what's going on inside your mouth with your tongue - and how brass players get low and high notes.

Another great video about how to buzz on the the trumpet helps you get the basic beginning notes of C and G. Try to make siren type sounds. Here's the "straw trick" to help you get a good buzz.

Best beginning note on a trumpet is G, the note on the 2nd line up. After you can play the G a bit, go to this fun short video here on playing the first 5 notes on trumpet.

    Oil your trumpet as you need to keep the pistons going up/down. Keep your fingers curved as you play and the pistons will seldom get stuck. Good video with fun British accent on how to oil your trumpet.

Here's a good one on how to do a deep clean on your trumpet. Use only warm water - not hot. Go slowly and I often use a plastic bucket to soak my trumpet in. A sink or tub can dent your horn, that's why I use a plastic bucket. You can borrow Mr. Powell's cleaning brushes or buy a cleaning kit at Pacific Winds - they're not spendy :-)   

    The C (concert Bb) scale on trumpet is here.

The easy, beginning version of the F (Eb concert) scale is here. Notice how they go up to tuning C then down to D to get back to F. That's OK to do, for Beginning Band kiddos.

Symphonic trumpeters can do this version of the F scale. Remember, air is your friend.

Fast air helps you get the higher notes on an instrument. Your tongue goes up slightly (say the sound EEE) to help the high notes come out. Remember to hum along with the video as you do the fingerings. This will help your lips stay relaxed and avoid fatigue. Then play with the video after taking a big breath.

    The US Army Field Band Trumpet section leads you through many musical tricks - from beginning to advanced. 

    Here is the master book on all things TRUMPET. Millions of songs and exercises.

Great video on How To Oil Valves.

Some Jazzy use of the (concert) Bb blues scale is here.

Tuning tendencies on trumpet are here. All instruments have spots where they can be out of tune, unless you adjust. This paper explains how to anticipate, and correct, the pitch tendencies of your trumpet.

To play better in tune, study this video and learn how to use your tuning slides. Remember to use a tuner to help you focus your pitch and play long notes to stabilize your tone.

Increase your range and playing time ~ review these tips:

Here is the trumpet harmonic series - real important for range and endurance!

      To expand your range, listen and study this set of videos.

    If you can play low, you can play high. It's true. Watch this for learning the pedal tones of the trumpet. Keeps you relaxed and pain free.

This is an isometric exercise that can really help endurance and range on all wind instruments, including trumpet.

Here's another variation on the pencil exercise. It can be helpful (skip the first 40 seconds).

Another exercise. Do this....

1) Make a big smile (think "I love washing dishes").

2) Pucker your lips as if to whistle and really engage your lips. Don't be lazy.

3) Do those 2 movements, back and forth assertively. See if you can do 30 of these  back/forth movements. Take a short break (at least 1 minute). Then, do them again. You should feel your face muscles get tired. If you have a gig coming, do these for a week in advance and see if you can build up to 2 -3 sets of 50 each. Don't over do it and try to change your life in one day, but if done consistently, over time you will develop lips of steel.

HERE IS A GOOD TRUMPET FINGERING CHART