Arban Trumpet Method in PDF + Interactive Sheet Music

On the other hand, it is a method organized by type of exercises, so it should not be studied in order from start to finish. Within each type of exercise, they are ordered by difficulty, but it is possible that page 100 has simpler exercises than page 50. Therefore, it is necessary to be clear about what you want to study at each moment and in this way, look for the most suitable exercise.

Going into detail, it can be said that the Arban method is made up of two parts:

• A more technical first part, made up of individual exercises where one or another technical facet of the instrument is practiced. In it you can find exercises of the following types:
  
  • First studies: this is the simplest part of the method, where you start with long note exercises and get more complicated until you reach eighth notes and sixteenth notes. In addition, syncopation and 6×8 exercises are included.
  • The second part focuses on slurred notes, where the note is changed with the valves or through lip flexibility.
  • The entire third part focuses on major, minor, and chromatic scales in all keys.
  • In the fourth part you will be able to rehearse everything related to ornaments (turns, appoggiaturas, mordents, etc.)
  • The fifth part, called advanced studies, covers different topics: such as intervals, triplets, thirty-second notes or cadenzas.
  • Finally, a part is included to practise double and triple tonguing.
• A second, more musical part, made up of different songs, duets, works and characteristic studies to put into practice everything learned in a more interpretive context. Basically 4 types of exercises are included here:
  
  • The Art of Phrasing, containing 150 melodies.
  • 68 duets for two trumpets.
  • 14 characteristic studies, of a much higher complexity.
  • 12 fantasies that includes the famous “Carnival of Venice”

The Arban method is so extensive that it has exercises from a basic level (although not for absolute beginners), up to exercises typical of virtuoso trumpeters. In other words, it is a method that will accompany you, practically, throughout your life as a trumpeter, and if you are able to finish it, it means that you will have become a great virtuoso of the instrument.

Organizing the more than 500 exercises of this method is extremely complex, so the table follows the syllabuses of several Spanish conservatories and groups each type of exercise in the year in which it is usually studied. If you think any of them should be at another level, send a message from the contact page and it will be corrected.

Although the Arban method is, as already mentioned, very, very complete, it can also be said that there are certain aspects that it does not cover, for which it would be necessary to focus on other methods that go deeper. For example:

• It doesn’t make any special mention about the warm-up, so you have to resort, for example, to the Stamp method or similar.
• It is not a suitable method if you want to practise the high or very high register.
• Likewise, it is also not suitable for the study of pedal notes.
• Finally, bear in mind that it is a book that dates back to 1859, so no type of study of modern music, jazz or improvisation can be expected.