Regain Your Trumpet Skills: A Step-by-Step Guide
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You're a trumpet player that enjoys playing but there is a problem you're trying to overcome. It's the fact that you stopped playing for over 20 years. Maybe it's even been longer. And now you want to get back to the instrument you love. You've started practicing again but the only thing that did was frustrate you because you quickly realized how much you've lost and how much work it's gonna take to get back to a fraction of where you used to be. The process of returning to trumpet playing is just taking way more effort than you thought.
I understand your frustration because I have been helping Returning Trumpet Players almost exclusively for the last 4 years.
Today, I will share a step-by-step process that you can follow to help you get on the right track of your return.
One of the first problems that people realize upon returning is that they simply don't have the time to practice like they did when they were younger. They have grandchildren and businesses to attend to. But if you are serious about returning, you will need to carve out some time to practice. There is no way around it. So today, I will share a few key things that you will want to address each day that will propel your trumpet playing to a place you can be proud of. And I'm going to share these steps in such a way that will save you time in the short term and the long term.
Step 1: Listen To Great Trumpet Players
The Body is the Primary Instrument. When I say this, I'm talking both the mental and the physical and they shape each other. So one of the first things you're going to want to do is get a healthy idea of what great trumpet playing sounds like.
If you're busy, one of the easiest things you can do to prepare to become a better trumpet player is to listen to great trumpet players ( and there are plenty to choose from). So grab your phone, open your favorite music steaming account and start listening.
Your best trumpet sound begins with your idea of what it means to have a great trumpet sound and the quickest way to develop your idea of sound is to start listening right away.
Step 2: Get Your Breathing Right For Trumpet Playing
Trumpet is known as a wind instrument and great players have leaned how to control their breathing for trumpet playing. Many players end up overblowing and destroying their chances at playing well but that's another topic for another day.
What you need to know now is that you need to practice breath control exercises so that you may have an easier time playing the trumpet. This actually helps to get your mind and body right for playing the trumpet.
There are several breathing exercises that a person can use. I'll suggest one now which is box breathing. That simply means that you inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, and then repeat.
Bonus for you if you can do this while walking outside. And even more points if you will do this while applying step 1.
So if you have noticed, the first two steps can be done away from the trumpet anywhere that you are.
Step 3: Blow the leadpipe
Getting a steady blow on the leadpipe does several things.
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reinforces that you have a steady blow happening
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makes certain that you have a nice core to your sound
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warms up the muscles of the embouchure so that you can do more playing without straining yourself
This only takes a couple of minutes at most.
Step 4: Play Flexibility Exercises According To Your Skill Level
Flexibility studies are my favorite as a teacher and as a player. That's because they really help to get people right! You see, the only way a person can execute on a slur is if they have coordination between wind and tongue. If those things aren't together then you're going to have a very difficult time on the trumpet as a whole. So whenever people ask me what they should practice if they don't have a lot of time, the answer is always flexibility studies. Take your time with these. It's okay if these take up to half of your practice time at first.
In terms of books to study from, you have a lot of great choices out there like Colin, Irons, Arban, Walter Smith, and many many other choices.
Step 5: Get Your Fingers in Line
A common mistake that amateur trumpet players make is that they are too casual with their fingers. The fingers need to be about business. Quick, firm, and precise movements. And they need to be coordinated with the wind and tongue, which is why you practice flexibility first in your trumpet routine.
If your fingers are out of line then your trumpet playing is going to be pretty sloppy and you don't want that. The only book you need for this type of practice is Clarke's Technical Studies. There is plenty in that one book to get you right and to last you a lifetime.
Step 6: Play Music
We practice trumpet so that we can play the music that we enjoy and so that we can help make someone's day brighter. So be certain to play your favorite melodies each day. Remember the sound of the trumpet that you listened to in step 1. As you keep this in mind, your trumpet sound will begin to develop toward the sound you have in your imagination.
Let's Recap The Lesson
Let's review today's lesson. First, listen to great trumpet playing to get a great idea of what the trumpet can accomplish and get a healthy trumpet sound in your mind's ear. Next, practice your breathing for trumpet playing. Then you're ready to pick up the instrument. Practice flexibility studies, get your fingers in line, and finally play the music that attracted you to the instrument in the first place.
This is an abbreviated trumpet routine that can be done in 20 - 40 minutes. Practice this way and your body will begin to change for trumpet playing.
