INSTRUMENTS
Flute
Oboe & Bassoon
Clarinet
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Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone & Tuba
Percussion
MUSIC READING
LINKS
PICTURES
SOUNDS
Brighton
Derby
Other
THE BRASS FAMILY
HISTORY
The trumpet is an ancient instrument, though originally it looked very different from today's trumpet. It had no valves, it was straight, and it was made of wood, bronze, or silver. The original date of the trumpet is unknown (at least 2000BC in China!), and was used in a natural form (without valves) until about 1814. Heinrich Stölzel added valves to the trumpet around this time. The Bb cornet, a related instrument, was introduced shortly after. These valved instruments enabled all the notes in a chromatic scale to be played, greatly increasing the value of the instrument and opening huge compositional possibilities.
PROBLEM SOLVING
I recommend that you get started with a teacher so that you learn to hold your trumpet correctly, and make your first sounds correctly. If you get home and still have problems, though, these hints might help.
No sound (except air)? Lick your lips, form an "em" position with your lips, and buzz into the mouthpiece using faster air.
If you're getting an airy tone, try the suggestions above. Don't be surprised if you have that airy tone for a while, until your lips get used to vibrating.
REMEMBER, your right hand pinky goes ON TOP of the finger rest, NOT IN IT!
LINKS
8Notes.Com
- This page has great stuff for beginners and more
- even free music to print out!
Ask Clyde
OJ's Trumpet Page
Plenty of trumpet stuff for everyone
BRASSWORLD
they have free, printable music
ULTRATRUMPET
Playing tips
J.J.'s Trumpet
Technique Page
Trumpet Player Online
This is really a resource for professional
trumpet players.
Trumpeter's
Fanfare - This page pops up a little weird, but is a GREAT resource.