Sarah Gray

Trumpet CH. 1
Involves vibrating the lips to create a sound
Different pitches can occur when using the same finger patterns
The lowest pitch is called the fundamental and anything above it is known as a partial
Intonation can be affected by the weather (cold=flat, warm=sharp)
Intonation CH. 2
When breathing, expand the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle and membrane
structure that separates the abdominal and chest cavities
Points of Resistance- The air column should not have any, but the main three kinds are
the glottis, tongue, and aperture
Glottis-A SPACE, not a thing, created by the opening and closing of the vocal cords and
often the first point of resistance during exhalation
Tongue-Use various positions when changing registers to create an open space
Aperture- SPACE, created by the air as it blows a hole in the embouchure during
exhalation, regulated by the degree of tension of the lips and the volume and speed of the
air column
Posture-Lungs, diaphragm, and other parts cannot function properly if a student is
slouching. Sit forward with the back away from the chair, feet flat on the floor, straight
back. Make sure to stay a little loose thought. When standing: avoid slouching, tensing
the chest and abdomen and twisting/contracting of the chest and abdomen. These can
reduce the capacity of the lungs.
ALWAYS inhale through the mouth to allow deeper breaths without becoming dizzy. Do
not raise your shoulders when breathing
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Do not hold the air in (or set the breath) after inhalation. project the air into a steady
column to produce an unwavering tone. Holding in the breath can be identified by
explosive attacks and overblown pitches.
Relax the diaphragm , control the relaxation by contracting the abdominal muscles
around the waist
The speed of the released air affects the volume of the instrument and steadiness of the
tone (faster=louder, slower=quieter). It can also affect the pitches (faster=easier for the
higher register while slower=lower). The inhalation plays a part in this as well because if
you dont take a deep breath, you will not get a solid sound. Try not to keep in stale air
or air left over from the last breath you took
Squeezing the tone is when air columns move too slowly, usually due to tension in the
throat or abdominal muscles. This produces a weak and unsupported sound. Relax the
throat and abdominal muscles, place the tongue on the bottom of the mouth, and release
the air column faster.
Embouchure CH. 3
Embouchure-The way in which ones oral cavity, lips, and facial muscles are used when
playing an instrument. For brass, this involves the buzzing of the lips caused by the air
stream passing over the lips to cause them to vibrate against each other. It is then passed
into the mouthpiece and amplified by the instrument to produce a tone.
Faster Vibration=Higher buzz or tone
Speed of the vibration=determined by the tension and pucker of the lips and speed of the
air column
Be sure to develop the strength of the facial muscles
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Forming the Embouchure:
Oral cavity (inside of the mouth and throat) must be open and relaxed. Tongue is on the
bottom of the mouth
Jaw is lowered and firm. Flat or pointed depending on facial configurations. Upper and
lower teeth approximately aligned
Aperture=oval shape
Lips=together, but not pressed together. Corners of lips are firm and in frowning
position
Mouthpiece placed correctly halfway on each lip.
Lips should be most to aid flexibility
Common Embouchure Problems:
Smiling (should be frowning
Bunched Up chin (should be flat or pointed)
Mouthpiece too low (centered please)
Puffed out cheeks (keep muscles strengthened in face)
Excessive pucker-Relax a little bit
Excessive mouthpiece pressure
Articulation CH. 4
Tonguing-Should INTERRUPT airstream, not stop it
Use only the tip of the tongue
Use up-and-down motion with relaxed tongue
Different syllables are used (ah for lower register, ooh in middle, ee in upper). Adding a
d or t in front of the syllable helps, but is not used for legato
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Tongue placement can affect the speed, clarity, and strength of the articulation
Single Tonguing- When 1 syllable is repeated throughout a rhythmic pattern
Release a note by stopping the air, not pulling the instrument away
Double Tonguing-Alternation of 2 tongue syllables (tah-kah)
Triple Tonguing-Group of 3 syllables in which 1 syllable is repeated (tah-ta-kah)
Tonguing Problems:
Too much tension in the tongue
Tonguing between the teeth
Jaw movement
Uneven-sounding syllables during multiple tonguing
Lip Slurs: Used when a brass player must slur between 2 pitches w/in harmonic series that
have the same fingering or are in the same position
Basic Instrument Equipment CH. 5
Leadpipe-Initial piece of tubing where mouthpiece is inserted. Used for macrotuning
Valves have movable slides used for microtuning
Valves-Allow air column to flow through accompanying valve slides when pressed down
Bore (interior) and bell are available in various sizes
Water Keys- Standard, condensation collected on the bore is released when opened
Mouthpieces-Available in 1000s of models
Parts include:
Rim (wide, narrow, flat, or rounded)-wide provide embouchure comfort, lack flexibility.
Narrow-good flexibility but demand embouchure strength. Round enhance smoothness of
slurs. Flatter-Provide crisper articulations
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Cup-medium-sized is best. Shallow=better upper range, but tone quality is affected.
Deep- require strong embouchures but enhance tone quality
Bore/Throat-Hole in bottom of cup of mouthpiece. Small=more focused and small tone
quality
Backbore-Taper of inside mouthpiece from throat to end of mouthpiece.
Cylindrical=Aids production of high range and bright sound. Conical=Dark, full sound,
loud volume
Shank-End of mouthpiece inserted into leadpipe. Various sizes exist. Must match
leadpipe size to work properly.
Most popular mouthpiece companies: Bach and Schilke
Mutes-Change timbre of instruments and control volume
Cause instrument to become sharp in pitch when inserted. Most common are straight,
cup, wah-wah, and plunger.
Miscellaneious Equipment:
Valve Oil-Allows valves to move quickly
Slide grease/cream-apply to valve slides and tuning slides. Keeps them movable and
prevents deposits from building up
Cleaning snake-Flexible coil with brush on end used to clean bore of the instrument
Mouthpiece brush-Cleans interior of mouthpiece.
Kinds of Trumpets CH. 6
B-flat trumpet= transposes a M2 down from concert pitch, very well known
B-flat Cornet=used in American concert bands in 20
th
century. Darker, more mellow tone
quality, easier to hold and balance for a beginner
Sarah Gray
C Trumpet-Orchestra, chamber, and solo work
D, E-flat, F, G, A, and high B-flat were also used for special purposes
Was originally used as a signaling device