Playing the Trumpet - Special Techniques for Success

Staff Writer - January 29th, 2010 4:36 PM PST

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Are you learning how to play the Trumpet?  Novice musicians must remember that sage wisdom that has been handed down from musician to musician throughout the ages – practice makes perfect.  The establishment of a daily practice routine is essential to the success of learning how to play the trumpet.  Once you learn how to read music, play the necessary notes, and follow the direction of the band leader or the music tutor, the musician should endeavor to hone his or her skills by mastering the following techniques.

Breath Control

As with an Olympic swimmer or a deep sea diver, a novice trumpet player must learn the secret of breath control.  The ability to control your breathing is a critical skill that you must master to be able to play the trumpet.  A trumpet player must learn to take deep breaths that fill the lungs and expand the abdomen.  When the trumpet player exhales, the speed at which the air is expelled through the lips determines whether the volume of the note is loud or soft and whether the length of the note is long or short.  The air should be pushed from deep within the diaphragm, so that the resulting notes will be played in tune and with the appropriate volume. 

You may practice the correct method of inhaling and exhaling anytime, even when a trumpet is not readily available.  To do so, you should inhale deeply and exhale with lips pursed.  When it is time to exhale, you should tighten the abdomen and push the air steadily and slowly from the diaphragm. After practicing this exercise, your abdomen may feel as though you’ve been doing sit-ups or crunches.  If you happen to be practicing with the trumpet, you should practice by playing a note for a long time while steadily and consistently pushing the air from the diaphragm.  The trumpet player should repeat this exercise.  Next, the trumpet player should begin playing the note softly and then slowly increase the volume, while always being aware that the air should pushed evenly from the diaphragm.

Mouthpiece Pressure

Another important technique that a trumpet player must practice is the amount of the pressure of the mouthpiece upon his or her lips.  Some trumpet players press the mouthpiece of the trumpet much too hard upon the lips when they try to play either loud or high notes.   Applying too much pressure hurts and tires the lips.  A trumpet player should rely on breath control rather than the pressure of the mouthpiece to control the range and volume of the notes. 

The trumpet is a great instrument on which novice musicians can begin their musical career.   The techniques and skills that are used in playing the trumpet can be transferred to other musical instruments as well.  For example, the French horn is another instrument that shares similarities to the trumpet.  The French horn requires the player to utilize the same type of breath control that you use when playing a trumpet.  Further, the French horn also has a similar mouthpiece to the trumpet. 

Instrument Care          

In addition to musical technique, care of your musical instrument also contributes to your success with the instrument.  The trumpet has three valves which need to be cleaned and treated often with valve oil.  Further, the mouthpiece needs to be cleaned often to keep it free from germs and food particles.  You can purchase the necessary cleaning supplies and products at stores that sell musical instruments, as well as online outlets, stores, or locations.   The trumpet should also be wiped down regularly with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth or a cotton cloth diaper.  This prevents the oil in the player’s fingers from eroding the trumpet’s finish.  The trumpet player should always place the trumpet in its case at the conclusion of play to prevent scratches and dents.  The case should have the player’s name and contact information clearly displayed in the event that the trumpet is lost. 

The trumpet is one of the most commanding musical instruments in the brass instrument family.  Its ringing notes grip the melody and hold the listener captive during a rousing concerto. During a jazz selection, the trumpet’s rhythmic slurs and dips can pull people onto a dance floor before they realize they have left their seats.  Practice, breath control, and proper maintenance of your trumpet can yield astounding results and can give both player and listener endless hours of enjoyment.

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