How to learn to play the trumpet

The trumpet is one of the oldest instruments of all. For centuries it served as a signalling and military instrument, and in Baroque music it shone as the so-called natural trumpet, still entirely without valves. Its famous parts were written even by Johann Sebastian Bach, though playing it required enormous mastery.

The turning point came in the early 19th century, when the instrument got valves. They made it possible to play all the semitones and turned the trumpet into a full melodic instrument. It flourished fully in the 20th century, when it became the queen of jazz thanks to names like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Today you hear it in the orchestra, brass band, funk and ska, and its radiant tone cannot be mistaken for any other instrument.

With your first trumpet you deal with three things: the type of tuning, the quality of the instrument and the accessories. The trumpet belongs among wind instruments, more precisely the brass ones, where the tone is produced by the vibration of your lips in the mouthpiece. For the vast majority of beginners the clear choice is a trumpet tuned in Bb, reach for it unless you have a specific reason for another. Do not overpay at the start, a quality student trumpet will give you a clean tone and last for years.

The difference is in the tuning and use. The Bb trumpet is the most widespread and has the most method books; it suits jazz, pop, brass band and the band. The C trumpet sounds a touch brighter and is used mainly in symphony orchestras. As a beginner, almost always start on Bb.

The instrument alone is not enough, a few things come in handy right away. The mouthpiece is usually included, but valve oil and cleaning are a must from day one, otherwise the valves start to stick.

With your first instrument, bet on a proven brand with service. An affordable and reliable start is offered by Latone, whose Bb trumpets have a very good price-to-performance ratio. If you want a more premium classic, reach for the Yamaha brand, whose student models have been a proven standard for years, or for the legendary Vincent Bach brand. What matters is that the valves run smoothly and the instrument holds its tuning.

Start with embouchure and breath, not with songs. On the trumpet the tone is not made by blowing but by the vibration of the lips, so the first thing you learn is the so-called buzzing into the mouthpiece. Once you manage a stable tone, you add the valves and fingering. The first weeks your lips hurt and that is normal, embouchure strength comes gradually. For the right embouchure and breath a teacher helps the most, but you can manage the basics on your own too.

Definitely yes, it is never too late to play. Adults learn in a focused way and progress well. The first weeks are about building the embouchure, then it goes faster.

Almost always a Bb trumpet. It is the most widespread, has the most material and suits the band as well as jazz. The C trumpet is appreciated only by orchestral players.

You will produce the first tone quickly, but a teacher helps a lot with the right embouchure and breath, at least at the start. The basics and regular practice you can manage on your own too.

Most often the embouchure or dry valves are to blame. Practise buzzing into the mouthpiece and oil the valves, that usually helps.

The trumpet is an instrument for many years and its radiant tone is worth the initial effort. For a start the Bb trumpet from Latone, Yamaha or Vincent Bach is ideal. Have a look at the whole range and do not forget the valve oil, a mute and a case. For how to choose a trumpet in detail, see the article on how to choose a trumpet, and find more among the wind instruments.