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Why Play Trumpet

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The trumpet is the highest brass instrument in register, above the horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium and tuba. A musician who plays the trumpet is called a trumpet player or trumpeter. The most common trumpet by far is a transposing instrument pitched in B flat - the note read as middle C sounds as the B flat 2 semitones below - but there are many other trumpets in this family of instruments.

The trumpet is made of brass tubing bent into a rough spiral. Although the bore is roughly cylindrical, it is more precisely a complex series of tapers, smaller at the mouthpiece receiver and larger just before the flare of the bell begins. Careful design of these tapers is critical to the intonation of the instrument. Sound is produced by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound into the mouthpiece and starting a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the trumpet. The player can select the pitch from a range of overtones or harmonics by changing the lip aperture. There are three piston valves, each of which increases the length of tubing when engaged, thereby lowering the pitch. The first valve lowers the instrument's pitch by a whole step (2 semitones), the second valve by a half step (1 semitone), and the third valve by one-and-a-half steps (3 semitones). When a fourth valve is present, as with some piccolo trumpets, it lowers the pitch a perfect fourth (5 semitones). Used alone and in combination these valves make the instrument fully chromatic, i.e., able to play all twelve pitches of Western music. The sound is projected outward by the bell.

The mouthpiece has a circular rim which provides a comfortable environment for the lips' vibration. Directly behind the rim is the cup, which channels the air into a much smaller opening (the backbore or shank) which tapers out slightly to match the diameter of the trumpet's lead pipe. The dimensions of these parts of the mouthpiece affect the timbre or quality of sound, the ease of playability, and player comfort. Generally, the wider and deeper the cup, the darker the sound and timbre.

	Alexander Arutiunian - Concerto in A flat for Trumpet and Orchestra
	Franz Josef Haydn - Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E flat Major
	Paul Hindemith - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
	Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E Major (often transposed to E flat major)
	Kent Kennan - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano

Natural Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet
	Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto #2 in F Major
	Michael Haydn - Concerto for Trumpet in D Major
	Leopold Mozart - Concerto for Trumpet in D Major
	Georg Philipp Telemann - Concerto for Trumpet, Strings, and Continuo in D Major

Bach, J.S -

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 (Movements I and III)
Mass in B Minor (Credo)
Christmas Oratorio (No. 64 Nun Seid Ihr Wohl Gerochen)
Magnificat (Chorus: Magnificat)

Bartók - Concerto for Orchestra (Movements I, II, and V)

Beethoven -

Leonore Overture No. 2
Leonore Overture No. 3

Georges Bizet - Carmen (Prelude to Act I)

Copland -

An Outdoor Overture
"Hoe-Down" from Rodeo

Mahler -

Symphony No. 1 (Movement I)
Symphony No. 2 (Movements I, II, III, V)
Symphony No. 3 (Off-stage Posthorn solo)
Symphony No. 5 (Movements I, III, V)

	Decide on a budget New beginner trumpets (sometimes also called student trumpets) can retail for $3000 or more. If you are on a tight budget, consider purchasing a used trumpet. Many music stores offer used trumpets and can assist you in choosing the right fit for your or your child. Trumpets are often available through private sellers, but when you buy a used trumpet from a music store, all the repairs to the trumpet's valves, pads and slides will usually have been done before the horn was put up for sale.
	Understand what to look for when picking out the beginner trumpet. There is a big difference between beginner, intermediate and professional trumpets. While beginner trumpets play well, they are of lesser craftsmanship and have fewer features than intermediate or professional horns. Many student trumpets have a two-piece rather than a one-piece bell, which does affect sound quality. Be sure to specify that you want a beginner trumpet.
	Check the slides and valves. The valves and slides on a beginner trumpet should have a looser tolerance than intermediate and pro models. Be sure the parts of the beginner trumpet you are considering move freely. Push the valves down quickly and be sure they spring back up quickly and easily.
	Get a feel for the trumpet. Although it may be convenient and sometimes even less expensive to buy your trumpet online, it is best to go to a shop where you can actually look at and handle the trumpet. Different brands of trumpets have slightly different weights; so they will each feel different in your hands. Try out several before you make your decision.
	Ask about a warranty on the trumpets you are considering. Whether the trumpet you decide to buy is new or used, inquire about a warranty. Make sure the terms are spelled out clearly. It should include a time frame for returns or exchanges. It should also outline exactly what repairs will be made to the trumpet and for what period of time before charges would be incurred.
	Check for leaks, dents or corrosion. If there are pink or red spots on the trumpet, this is a sign of internal corrosion. New trumpet should not have any dents or scratches; dents or dings can affect not only the operation of the trumpet, but also the sound. Feel the felts on the valves and the corks on the water keys to make sure they are present, that they look to be in good condition and do not need to be replaced.
	Choose a mouthpiece. A C-cup mouthpiece, which has a small rim, is the typical choice for a beginner. As you or your child become more skilled, you may consider moving up to a 5C or 1C mouthpiece.
	Check the horn's compression. Be sure all the trumpet's valves and slides are in place, then push down and release all the valves. Then pull out the slides one at a time and listen for a pronounced pop. If you don't hear one, the horn has an air leak and thus shouldn't be the one you buy.
	If you bought a brass trumpet, you should give it a bath once a month.
	Talk to a qualified professional about polishing your silver trumpet.
	Always keep your valves oiled and slides greased; it's extremely difficult to get rid of months of neglect on an instruments valves.
	Try to "flush" your trumpet out at least once a month. TO do this, take out all of the slides and valves. Next, run warm water and soap through your trumpet. Make sure all of the soap is out of the trumpet. Dry the outside of the trumpet with a soft rag, and allow the inside to air dry. This process gets the trumpet clean, and gives it a nicer sound.

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