Introduction: Instrument Playing: Trumpet

Are you interested in playing the trumpet. Well, it is an easy instrument to learn, and fun too!!! With this instructable, you will me playing like a pro in no time at all!!!


Look below for the parts of a trumpet!!!
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Step 1: Posture and Positioning

First off, you need to learn how to hold a trumpet. I'm pretty sure you can't play it in mid-air! O.K., you need to hold trumpet and take your first three fingers on your right hand( index, middle, and ring finger) and place them on the three valves.( and yes, with the mouthpiece holder facing you).Then, put your thumb under the pipe running along the right side. Now, for your left hand, place it along the valves, between the pipes. Wrap your them around the valves, and place your first two fingers( index and middle) on the opposite side, between the 3rd valve and the ring-thing place your ring finger through that ring, and run your pinky along the pipe directly underneath it. Now that you are comfortable in the position, it is time for posture. If you are sitting in a chair, sit on the edge of it, with your back straight, and your shoulders high. Keep your feet flat on the ground. If standing, hold shoulders high, and stand straight up.

Step 2: Sound...Buzzing

Remember when you would make that buzzing sound with your lips when you would make a helicopter sound? That one you make when you squish your lips together, out, and push air through it? Well, that is exactly how you make noise on the trumpet! Just mold your lips into the mouthpiece, and blow that air like crazy!!! To practice, you can even just use your mouthpiece and no trumpet. I think it is fairly easy, but it was very hard to explain. But, then again, I have been in the first 2 chairs. Anyway, that's it.

Step 3: Sounds...Flutter

If you did more research on the trumpet, then you might have heard of flutter tonguing. It is very difficult, and it took me a while to get even one flutter out. You start out by rolling your tongue, like rolling your R's in Spanish class. Then, try to close your mouth so you can get it into the mouthpiece. This is the hard part. Your tongue might even get tired. But keep on trying, and you will get it.

Step 4: Notes

This is the main part. The notes. What makes up the music. Well, there are actual notes, ranging from A to G, and Note notes, the things with the lines you see on sheet music. I will cover the note notes in an Instructable I plan to make later. But anyway, the first note you probably played was either G or C. G & C are both notes that are played without holding down any valve. If your note sound kinda high, it was probably G. But it was more likely C. On a staff, the things with the five lines on a piece of music, it is on a ledger line, which are extra lines above or below the staff, one below the line. The lower the note on a staff, the lower the note. Here is an example of a staff with a scale, which is the order of notes on a staff. This is the B flat scale.


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C
B_
A
G_
F
_E_
D


Now, it would be a waste of a learning opportunity if I just told you all of the notes. So have fun doing research. Or maybe just by a book. The ones I used are called ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000 1 and 2.

Step 5: Trumpet Care.

Whew! You've probably played so much your fingers must be falling off. Also, has one of your valves gotten stuck? Is a weird watery sound coming out of your trumpet? Well, this is the section to find out what to do. Let's start with the valve. Your trumpet should've came with a bottle that says " Valve Oil" If not, buy some. YOU WILL NEED IT! Anyway, you see that cap on the valve-holder-thing. Screw that off. Your valve should come out now. Take the oil and wet it down good. Then put it back in the slot it was in ( yes....it matters!) Turn the entire valve carefully until it stops and won't move without pressure. Now, the spit. Yes, that watery sound is spit. Look at the end of your trumpet, by the bell. The two little things with the part toughing the trumpet made of cork. Push down on the upper part, and blow out of your mouthpiece. Don't buzz, just blow. Spit should come out, giving you a better sound. Also, when not in use, your trumpet should be stored in a normal temperature room. And if your mouthpiece ever gets stuck, take it to an instrument or music store. They have the tools to get it unstuck .Don't try the stuff on the internet. It can damage your instruments.

Step 6: Learning Complete

Thank you for taking the time to read my instructable, and for finding a hobby in music. It is very rewarding when one can play an instrument, and good too!!!! But I hope you enjoy your time with your trumpet, don't forget to practice, and remember to empty that spit valve! And again, thanks!!!