Learning to play the trumpet can be a lot of fun if you go about it the right way. The hardest part of the course is learning to make the initial sound on the instrument. The lips buzz into the mouthpiece with primal instinct like a caveman blowing into the hollowed-out horn of some large animal. It usually doesn’t sound too pretty at first but as your strength and technique develop it gets better. Once you overcome that obstacle then practice begins.
A friend on Facebook just asked today for a book recommendation on learning to play the trumpet. Many books come to mind and for different reasons. So GQ Williams I hope this helps.
A Few Trumpet Books.
The Arban’s Book is considered The Bible Of All Trumpet Playing.
There are now two editions. The original edition and the platinum edition. The platinum edition has a binding that allows the pages to be read a bit easier (the book is over 350 pages.) it also has some piano accompaniment music. I have the original edition and have used it for more than 15 years as I learned to play. This is a book that you will grow with over the years. It starts out with simple exercises and takes you through techniques and studies you couldn’t fathom. Let me be clear though, this is a book to put in work on. This isn’t like playing show tunes or pop hits from the radio. the book has one purpose in mind and that it building your technique as a trumpet player.
Arban Original Edition – http://amzn.to/kRkDYj
Arban Platinum Edition – http://amzn.to/k2K6Rk
One of the next books I would recommend is a play along book by Jamey Abersold.
Jamey Abersold was the pioneer of the play-along method for practicing. Over the years Jamey Abersold has done more than 100 volumes of play long based mostly around the jazz genre. Most of the volumes focus on the work of specific artists like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, or John Coltrane. Those are all great places to spend time but I would begin with Jamey Abersold Vol. 24 Major and Minor. It doesn’t matter if you play piano, trumpet or tuba, there is no way around practicing your scales. This book and CD provide background accompaniment for you to endure that practice in a much more fun and approachable way. Music is supposed to be fun right. Buy this book turn on track one and start practicing.
Major and Minor – http://amzn.to/iLsmOo
So far we have a book for technique, a book for fun (and practice) and now lastly you will need a book for music theory. This is an area that will be up for debate and everyone has a favorite. It also depends a lot on which type of theory you are studying classical or jazz. While they do share many common elements they are usually taught, and used in very different ways. My first recommendation for a music theory book is always Jazz Theory by Mark Levine. This book starts at the beginning and gets deep into the world of jazz harmony and theory. It is also another one of those really thick books that you will grow with over time. I keep mine on my bookshelf now as a reference and discover something new i haven’t tried or practiced every time I pick it up. It’s also worth saying that this is the type of book that will center more around you musical education as a whole, not just a specific instrument. This book will also help you arranging and production skills greatly.
the Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine http://amzn.to/ishSgD
Got questions? you should leave a comment below. I would love to answer them.