Question for Musicians

[makattak]

I want to continue to try to learn things as I'm getting older, so I want to start learning the trumpet. (Actually cornet, but from my understanding, they are the same for playing, but have differing sounds and capabilities.... which ranges will be beyond me at first, anyway. It will depend on which instrument I can find.)

Now, I'm a decent/good musician- I can read music, keep time, etc...- so I'm not needing to start from scratch, but I've never played any brass instrument.

After a bit of research I'm hoping to pick up an old F.E. Olds Ambassador Trumpet or Cornet to learn on. (It also satisfies my preference for vintage items, as with guns.)

Are there any trumpet/brass players here with advice for where to start? (Other than stay away from people while learning so as not to be hated.)




Edited because I keep typing: "coronet"

[Hawkmoon]

For a start, it's a "cornet," not a "coronet."

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-trumpet-and-vs-cornet/

https://www.normans.co.uk/blog/2013/10/trumpet-v-cornet/

[makattak]

For a start, it's a "cornet," not a "coronet."

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-trumpet-and-vs-cornet/

https://www.normans.co.uk/blog/2013/10/trumpet-v-cornet/

Thanks, I keep wanting spell it wrong. I'm aware it's not a crown, but my fingers aren't.  

(I can't tell you how many times I've had to go back and search the right term when I've been doing research on them.)

[Regolith]

I played trombone in high school, does that count?  

Anyway, not a whole lot I can tell you. Been too long since I last played, and trumpet and trombone are pretty different instruments.

I can say that muscle tone in your face and lips is going to be important, particularly as you reach the higher end of your instrument's range. With a brass instrument, you purse your lips and basically buzz them inside the cup of the mouthpiece to produce sound. The tighter you press your lips together, the higher the note you produce. I had trouble hitting the higher notes (which for a trombone is pretty much anything above middle C) because I didn't put in enough practice to develop my facial muscles.

ETA: Oh, one more thing I just remembered. Wherever you practice, make sure you have something handy nearby to empty your spit valve into. Brass instruments collect moisture in their various nooks while you're playing, so there's a valve specifically to let it out when it starts to build up. I don't remember how bad the trumpets got, but the trombone can collect an impressive amount during a session.

[Scout26]

I played trumpet and French Horn in middle school.  Everything Regolith said above.  The more you practice the better you will become as your lips and facial muscles get stronger/more developed.

[HeroHog]

Embouchure, see Lewis Armstrong...

[zxcvbob]

Embouchure, see Lewis Armstrong...

Or Dizzy Gillespie.  (okay, maybe not Dizzy Gilespie  )

[HankB]

I played trumpet in grammar school for several years, was in the school band for a while. I wasn't the worst trumpet player at the school, but I sure wasn't the best. Despite a goodly amount of daily practice, I just didn't have the lip to consistently hit the higher notes. This may or may not be an issue for you. (Also had a bit of a falling out with the music teacher, which is a whole different issue.)

[Brad Johnson]

Start slow. You can actually cause physical harm to your lip tissues if you don't. Warm up is very important. Even with that you'll feel (and possibly look) like you've been punched in the mouth the first couple of times you spend any decent amount of time practicing. My niece described it as having "buzzy lips".

Basics first, learn the notes and run scales. Get your lips, fingers, and brain trained to work together properly (no comments from the reprobate section). Progress from there. A middle-school band primer would be a good place to start. Dredging through 40 year old memories I think the one I learned on was called Elementary Somethingorother. Notes, finger positions, etc. Very basic, but also very helpful.

If you have a decent ear for pitch you can start by following along with some slower tunes. Not the melody necessarily, just general pitch and tone. Lets you have a little fun while learning. Old ballroom tunes are useful here. A personal favorite is "Moonlight Serenade".

Brad

p.s.... Get a mute. Everyone in your general vicinity will thank you.

[HeroHog]

I was wrong, Dizzy was who I was thinking of! CARP!