Trumpet Methods
The trumpet methods most used in conservatories, from the first year to university level: free PDFs and most of them with interactive sheet music.
Trumpet Methods in Clave de Mi
There are 7 trumpet methods and 3 pieces here, most of them fully integrated into MIDI & MusicXML Player. It does not matter what kind of trumpet you have or how it is tuned: every exercise in the player can be adapted.
Ranking by difficulty
Due to the large number of existing methods for this instrument, it is often difficult to find a method that suits your level, especially when you are just starting out.
For this reason, all the methods on this page are classified according to the difficulty of their exercises.
If you want to know how this criterion is established, you can see it here.
Arban Trumpet Methodin PDF581 exercisesLevel 1 – 5
Total Range132 exercisesLevel 1 – 5
Louis MaggioRange and enduranceLevel 2
Bai LinLip Flexibilities39 exercisesLevel 2 – 3
H. L. ClarkeTechnical Studies for the Cornet10 studies · 190 exercisesLevel 2 – 3
James StampWarm-Ups and StudiesDaily warm-upLevel 2 – 4
Carmine CarusoMusical Calisthenics for Brass48 exercisesLevel 3There are none at this level.
Finally, here is probably the most complete trumpet method, which covers everything from aspects that could be considered basic (although not for beginners) to exercises of very, very high levels.
Trumpet pieces
LiedEugène BozzaA minor · 26 measuresLevel 1
Intrada et RigaudonH. PurcellC major · 88 measuresLevel 2
Pièce pour ConcoursL. PicavaisC major · 122 measuresLevel 2Haydn Trumpet ConcertoThird Movement with Piano Accompaniment3rd movementLevel 4The Carnival of Venice by ArbanTrumpet, trombone and euphoniumLevel 5There are none at this level.
Summary table
Below is a summary table with all the trumpet methods: their level, whether there is a PDF and whether they are in MIDI & MusicXML Player.
| Method | Level | Interactive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arban Trumpet Method | Level 1 – 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Total Range | Level 1 – 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Louis Maggio | Level 2 | — | — |
| Bai Lin | Level 2 – 3 | — | Yes |
| H. L. Clarke | Level 2 – 3 | Yes | Yes |
| James Stamp | Level 2 – 4 | — | — |
| Carmine Caruso | Level 3 | — | Yes |
| Lied | Level 1 | — | Yes |
| Intrada et Rigaudon | Level 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Pièce pour Concours | Level 2 | — | Yes |
| Haydn Trumpet Concerto | Level 4 | — | Yes |
| The Carnival of Venice by Arban | Level 5 | — | Yes |
Solos from Spanish bandsTrumpet Soloist – International EditionA selection of the best band trumpet solos from Spain, in a book written in English. PDF with online audio.See the bookPractice the trumpet methods with audio
The trumpet is a brass instrument whose sound is produced by the vibration of the lips in a mouthpiece thanks to the passage of air.
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The trumpet is usually tuned in Bb, C or Eb and usually reads in Treble Clef. Other similar instruments, and that can be studied together with trumpet methods, would be the piston cornet and the flugelhorn.
Learn trumpet
If you want to learn to play the trumpet, these are some of the facets to work on:
- Adopt a relaxed position when playing.
- Being able to control the air thanks to good diaphragmatic breathing and good development of the abdominal and facial muscles.
- Get a good attack (emission), tuning and flexibility in the change of notes for the entire register.
- Have a good fingering technique to change notes with rhythm and precision.
- Learn the different types of attack and phrasing to be able to transmit musically at each moment what the work requires.