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COMPLETE TRUMPET PLAYER REPLAYS

APRIL 2025

 

 

The Complete Trumpet Player Challenge - April 07

Meeting Purpose

Introduce breathing exercises and buzzing techniques to improve trumpet playing.

Key Takeaways

  • Three common trumpet mistakes: ignoring sound quality, lack of practice routine, unhealthy mindset
  • Breathing exercises crucial for developing proper posture and air support
  • Buzzing practice helps develop embouchure and connect air to sound production
  • "Sing-buzz-play" method reinforces pitch accuracy and efficient air use

Topics

Breathing Exercises

  • Three-step breath: inhale through nose, continue through mouth, exhale through mouth
  • Maintain high chest position throughout, develops "posture of power"
  • Paper-on-wall exercise: blow cool air to hold paper up, improves focused airstream
  • Metronome breathing: inhale/exhale for specific counts, enhances breath control

Buzzing Practice

  • Used "Buzzing Challenge" book exercises
  • Emphasis on glissando to highlight proper wind usage
  • "Sing-buzz-play" method: sing pitch, buzz on mouthpiece, play on trumpet
  • Helps connect air support to sound production

Low Register Playing

  • Discussed challenges of clear low register notes (low C, D)
  • Technique: lower jaw/tongue position, use warmer air stream
  • Demonstrated visually and aurally for students

Student Backgrounds

  • Mix of returning players after long breaks (20-30+ years) and newer students
  • Various motivations: retirement hobby, creative outlet after vision loss
  • Previous experience levels ranged from school bands to semi-professional gigs

Next Steps

  • Practice breathing exercises: 5 sets of 10 reps, interspersed with playing
  • Implement "sing-buzz-play" method in daily practice
  • Review emailed recording of today's session
  • Read provided "Buzzing Challenge" book
  • Attend next session on "The Master Key to Trumpet Playing"
 

The Complete Trumpet Player Challenge - April 08

 

Meeting Purpose

To introduce the master key to trumpet playing and provide practical exercises for developing it.

Key Takeaways

  • Flexibility is crucial for improving range, endurance, and overall trumpet playing
  • Three main types of flexibility exercises: slurs, bends, and pedal tones
  • The body is the primary instrument - master physical techniques before applying to trumpet
  • Daily practice of flexibility exercises is essential for progress

Topics

Importance of Flexibility

  • Flexibility coordinates wind power, tongue levels, and embouchure
  • Directly improves range and endurance
  • Addresses 4-5 of the 7 core parts of trumpet playing (wind power, lips, air control, tongue, facial muscles)
  • Should be practiced in every session to achieve goals

Slur Exercises

  • Start with slurs to teach coordination of wind and tongue
  • Use "sing-buzz-play" method to internalize pitch changes
  • Focus on proper jaw position and tongue placement for each note
  • Demonstrated exercise: C down to G and back up to C through all 7 valve positions

Bend Exercises

  • Bends teach micro-level coordination of wind and tongue
  • Useful for fine-tuning pitch and as an expressive technique
  • Demonstrated exercise: Bending between G and F# using only first valve

Pedal Tone Introduction

  • Combine slur and bend techniques to access pedal register
  • Start by bending from low F# down to F, then switch to F
  • Practice descending major chord arpeggios to explore pedal range
  • Requires relaxed embouchure and increased air support

Next Steps

  • Practice flexibility exercises daily, even if only for a few minutes
  • Focus on slurs first, then progress to bends and pedal tones
  • Listen to recommended trumpet players for inspiration (Wynton Marsalis, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong)
  • Attend tomorrow's session on effective practice techniques

Action Items

  • Check spam folder for Chris's emails; move to primary inbox if found.
  • Practice your favorite slurs to get familiar with the movement that slurs require. If you need recommendations, Irons & Bai Lin are two great options.
 

The Complete Trumpet Player Challenge - April 09

Meeting Purpose

To practice and discuss a comprehensive trumpet routine, focusing on proper technique and efficient practice methods.

Key Takeaways

  • A structured practice routine is crucial, including breathing exercises, buzzing, long tones, flexibility studies, articulation, and finger dexterity exercises
  • Proper form and technique (e.g., embouchure, posture) significantly impact playing ease and quality
  • Rest and pacing are essential components of effective practice, with multiple short sessions recommended over long, continuous playing
  • Isolating problem areas and focusing on specific techniques can lead to faster improvement

Topics

Breathing Exercises and Warm-up

  • Conducted three sets of breathing exercises: in through nose, in through mouth, out through mouth
  • Emphasized maintaining upright posture and keeping chest elevated during exhale
  • Lead pipe buzzing introduced as a warm-up technique, focusing on steady airflow and pitch matching

Long Tones and Caruso Method

  • Introduced Caruso's "Magic 6 Notes" for long tones practice
  • Emphasized breath attacks on first note, tongued attacks on subsequent notes
  • Discussed the importance of keeping mouthpiece on lips throughout the exercise
  • Recommended starting at 60-72 BPM, potentially slowing down to 40 BPM with practice

Articulation and Tongue Placement

  • Practiced articulation exercises using "taw-tee" and "kaw-kee" syllables
  • Emphasized the connection between air support and tongue movement
  • Discussed the importance of proper tongue placement for different articulation styles

Finger Dexterity and Scale Practice

  • Introduced Clark Study No. 4 for combined finger dexterity and scale practice
  • Demonstrated how to break down complex passages into manageable segments
  • Emphasized the importance of mental preparation and practice before playing

Sight-reading and Musicianship

  • Encouraged incorporating sight-reading into daily practice routine
  • Suggested working on small sections of new pieces over multiple days to improve reading skills

Next Steps

  • Continue practicing the introduced routine, focusing on proper form and technique
  • Incorporate multiple short practice sessions throughout the day when possible
  • Pay attention to embouchure formation, particularly bringing the bottom lip into the mouthpiece
  • Use recording and self-listening as a tool for improvement
  • Access flexibility studies PDF from the upcoming video replay link
  • Next meeting scheduled for Friday at the same time and link

Action Items

  • Practice routine demo'd in meeting - breathing exercises, lead pipe buzzing, long tones (Caruso Magic 6), flexibility studies, articulation, Clark study #4, sight reading; pace w/ built-in rests -
  • Practice bringing bottom lip into mouthpiece cup more; work on form for better control esp. on high notes -
Bai Lin Flexibility PDF