Play the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn
Tips on How to Hold a Brass Instrument and Make a First Sound
Dec 9, 2008
Making a first sound on the trumpet or cornet isn’t difficult, but turning that noise into a pleasant and sustained note takes a little effort. Here are the basics of good posture and embouchure. The rest will come with time and familiarity with the instrument.
How to Hold a Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn
It seems there is no one standard way to correctly hold a trumpet or cornet. Band directors may have their own preferred method, so players should check first.
There are two guidelines that can help when it comes to holding a trumpet or cornet. First, the hold should feel natural and unstrained. Second, using fingertips as much as possible will lay a foundation for fast finger work when a player is ready.
The left hand supports the trumpet or cornet from underneath. The left thumb wraps around the bottom of the first valve (the one nearest the mouthpiece). If the trumpet or cornet has a thumb key in this spot, players can take advantage of it. The other fingers wrap around the third valve (the valve nearest the bell). If the trumpet or cornet has a key ring near the bottom of the third valve, the pinky or pinky and ring finger can rest in it.
The right hand is positioned on top of the trumpet or cornet to work the valves. The right pinky hooks into the pinky key just after the third valve. The right index, middle, and ring fingers rest on the first, second, and third valves respectively. The right thumb can find a comfortable place on the side of the trumpet or cornet.
Proper Posture for Playing the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn
The goal of proper posture when playing a brass instrument is to allow as much air into the lungs as possible. To achieve this, trumpet or cornet players will want to stand with their back straight. If they sit, their legs should be positioned directly in front of them with feet on the floor.
How to Make a Sound on the Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn
Before blowing into the trumpet or cornet, players will want to practice a technique called buzzing. To do this, players close their lips as if saying a word that starts with M. This lip position is called an embouchure.
To make the buzzing sound, brass players blow air through the center of their lips in a steady, sustained stream. With developed strength, the lips will be able to manage this for long periods of time without allowing any air to escape through the sides.
To get an idea of how different notes are played on the trumpet or cornet, players can speed up the air flow and tighten their lips while buzzing. They should hear a higher pitch produced. To lower the pitch, they can slow down their air flow and loosen their embouchure.
Once players have a good start with buzzing, they can try placing the mouthpiece apart from the trumpet against their lips. Buzzing into the mouthpiece will eventually make a first note. Players can attempt to change their air speed and embouchure to create different notes. They will feel like they’re using an enormous amount of effort at first, but with a little time, making a note takes less and less energy and air.
Once players can consistently produce a sound from their mouthpiece, they can connect it to the trumpet or cornet and try blowing. Players may find that notes come more easily with the mouthpiece attached.
Some tips to make practicing easier include angling the trumpet or cornet slightly upward while playing. Players should also attempt to breathe deeply and fully expand their lungs as opposed to shallow breaths that come from the chest or throat. Finally, players should avoid puffing out their cheeks since this will decrees their air flow and can be damaging to facial muscle tissue.
Once brass players can make a low, medium, and high note by simply changing the speed of their air flow and shape of their embouchure, they are ready to try their first scale.
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