LESSON TWO

Tuning Your Trumpet

The easiest and most accurate way to tune your trumpet is by using an electronic tuner. An electronic tuner allows you to see whether the note you are playing is sharp (too high) or flat (too low). There are several types of electronic tuners but most are relatively inexpensive and simple to operate. Use a chromatic tuner with a built in microphone to pick up your Trumpet.

The pitch of the trumpet can be altered by either pushing the tuning slide further into the body or pulling it out a bit. Before you begin tuning make sure the tuning slide is not pushed fully onto the body, or you may have no room to move if your trumpet is out of tune.

To begin tuning, pull the tuning slide out to a distance of just under two centimeters and then play a C note. Be careful to move the slide only a small amount at a time, or you may put the instrument out of tune in the opposite direction; i.e., you may make the note sound too sharp instead of too flat. Once you have adjusted the slide, play the note again and check against the tuner. Repeat this process until your C note is in tune.

If your C note is too sharp, you will have to move the tuning slide in the opposite direction – pulling it out a small amount and then checking your note against the tuner. Once again, repeat the process if necessary until your C note is in tune.

If you have trouble hearing the differences in pitch don’t worry, this is common and tuning will become easier as your lips and facial muscles develop and you get a better sense of the sounds of notes in general. Many people have to get their teacher to help them tune their instrument for the first few months they are learning.

However, it is important to practice tuning each day, as you will often be required to tune to other instruments when playing with other musicians. Next time you go to hear a band, orchestra or any musical group, notice how the musicians spend a short time tuning their instruments carefully before they begin to play.

How To Read Music

These five lines are called the staff or stave.

The Treble Clef

This symbol is called a treble clef. There is a treble clef at the beginning of every line of trumpet or cornet music.

The Treble

A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.

Music Notes

There are only seven letters used for notes in music. They are:

 

These notes are known as the musical alphabet.

Trumpet music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of the treble staff.

Note And Rest Values

Bar lines are drawn across the staff, which divides the music into sections called bars or measures. A double bar line signifies the end of an important section of music, while a final bar line is written at the end of a piece.

The Four Four Time Signature

These two numbers are called the four four time signature. They are placed after the treble clef. The * time signature tells you there are four beats in each bar. There are four quarter notes in one bar of music in * time.

The Half Note

This music note is called a half note. It has a value of two beats. There are two half notes in one bar of *time.

The Note C

This note is a C note. It is written below the staff on a short line called a ledger line. This is the note you learned to play in lesson one. This note is often referred to as middle C.

Keeping Time

Before you begin the first exercise, count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 several times to get a feel for the rhythm. As you play, count mentally as you play and tap your foot to help you keep time. Count 1 2 for the first half note in each bar and 3 4 for the second half note.

To be sure you develop a good sense of time right from the beginning, it is recommended that you always practice with a metronome or drum machine. Count along with these beats to help you establish the right tempo (speed) for each example.

Breath Marks (;)

Take a quick, deep breath from your diaphragm every time you see this mark ;. Be careful not to lose your timing when you breathe. Counting as you play should help you become more confident with this. Breathing technique is discussed in detail in lesson five.

Chord Symbols

If you look at the first example you will notice a line of letters and symbols above the staff (Ebm, Bb⁷ etc.) These are chord symbols which indicate the harmony to be played by accompanying instruments such as keyboard or guitar.

1

The big numbers 1 and 3 tell you to play the note. The small numbers 2 and 4 tell you to sustain it until the next note. Notice that there are four beats in each bar.

The Half Rest

This symbol is called a half rest. It indicates two beats of silence. To play this rest, count for two beats without blowing.

2

This example uses half notes along with half rests.

The Quarter Note

This music note is called a quarter note. It lasts for one beat. There are four quarter notes in one bar of *time.

3

This example contains both quarter notes and half notes. Make sure you tongue each note.

The Quarter Rest

This symbol is a quarter rest. It indicates one beat of silence. Do not play any note. Remember that small counting numbers are placed under rests.

4

Remember to count mentally to keep time regardless of whether you are playing a note or a rest.