I got a trumpet

[CrackerJack]

I'm going into 7th grade, and last year I signed up for band. So yesterday I went to see some of the instruments I could do. I chose a trumpet and I was wondering if anyone has played one of these and if you could tell me what it is like.

 

[Mustachio]

I played back in elementary and middle school.

If you have never played a brass instrument before its gonna take some time getting used to how to actually play it, and blow into it.

Then once you have that down its just learning how to read music and what keys to press and when.

 

[Dreadmaker]

I am a Musician by trade, but I play woodwinds. The clarinet is my home base, but I also play the sax (all the flavors you can think of). I've been playing music for about 12 years at this point, and giving private and group lessons for about a year, but I have never played around (much) with brass.

If you want any information whatsoever concerning music in general, I will be able to tell you a lot. However, stuff that is brass specific, I can only help a little bit. There are many music forums on the web which you could give a test run, and I suppose it could never hurt to ask me any questions you might have. There is a chance I know about it (I have taught beginner trumpet before, but only once.)

 

[Tattis]

I played trumpet for three years. (I stopped when I moved to a different school where the instructors were more focused on winning contests than having fun and playing great music. They sure knew how to sap the enjoyment out of it.)

The one difficult thing about the trumpet is the fact that it has so few valves. This means holding down one valve combination can produce several different notes (ex: holding down both the first and second valve is both E and A). A good example of this is the song [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe94ILl6uJg"]Reveille [/ame]is played without changing valves, it's all done by how you blow.

While I may be a little biased, I think you made a good choice regardless. One of the things I realized quickly from playing in concert band (as opposed to trumpet class) is that composers love the trumpet. It's rare you'll come across a song that doesn't keep you busy. I remember having friends who played something like the tuba and they'd just get to play the melody in the song, maybe the same four notes over and over again. The trumpet rarely gets that boring.

Good luck, hope you have lots of fun with it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I might not remember everything as that was a long time ago, but I might be able to offer some help.

 

[Booster37]

Oh boy, I've played multiple instruments in many different regions of music.

I've never played Trumpet in particular, but I've played Mellophone, which is basically a French Horn that you can march with, and it's basically the same thing with a different tuning, as a Trumpet is a Bb instrument and a Mello an F. On to the Trumpet.

Of course, it is one of the most popular instruments in the world and probably the most popular amongst Brass. There isn't really much one can tell you about an instrument, as it is more of something that they should demonstrate. Like, Tattis said and probably what you already know by now is that there are only three valves. This can create many different notes depending on your embouchure (which is basically an equation of how much air you put into the instrument and the formation of your lips on the mouthpiece). Like if you hold all three keys, I believe you can make C# and F# on a low register.

 

[Celes]

I have played the trumpet for 3 years back in elementary school.. I was even in band and jazz club.. this instrument is good if you like to be loud and awesome

but I wish I could have played guitar or violin if it was offered sigh..

 

[frap]

I have one and have played one for 5 years, very fun to play. I quit band after last year, because my teacher was stupid, but I like the trumpet. Good choice

 

[Tattis]

I have played the trumpet for 3 years back in elementary school.. I was even in band and jazz club.. this instrument is good if you like to be loud and awesome

I always wished we had a jazz band.

 

[Celes]

yeah I love them jazz songs they were fun to play

 

[Dreadmaker]

I'm actively involved in the jazz community in my home town. I have played in a jazz duo, and I'm currently working on a quartet. plus, my school has a sweet jazz band that myself and a buddy of mine write songs for. It's awesome.

 

[Major Payne]

Very nice to see all of these fellow musicians! My story is similar to Dread's, I have not swam in the waters of brass instruments too much, my instrument is the saxophone. I've had experience with a soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. I've been playing the sax since 3rd grade so that would be about 9 years now. I'm currently in marching band at my high school and have been since freshman year. I'm also heavily involved in our jazz band second semester.

Trumpet is a difficult instrument, but it's a good pick. If you work hard at it and practice often, you'll really enjoy it. Band is a whole other lifestyle, not so much in middle school, but if you manage to make it through those boring two years, all you'll be thinking about is band in high school. I'm assuming here though that your high school has a marching band.

I HIGHLY suggest you get involved in marching band, it creates bonds and friendships that last for a lifetime, and it teaches you about leadership and responsibility. It also helps with high school job apps. and college apps which is what I'm going through right now

But yeah as Dread said, the internet is full of info, and if you need any help with band and such let me know. Not too knowledgeable on the brass, but I can always give it a shot