[feverdream]

Hello.

I'm new to playing the trumpet, and I need some basic info before I can get started.
In my package, there was a Valve Oil, and Micro Slide-Glide. "Slide Lubricant"
What in the world am I suppose to do with those? I know I'm suppose to use those to maintain and clean my trumpet, but nobody taught me how.

Also, can anyone tell me how I can properly blow on my trumpet? I can make decent sounds, but I can't hit a high note very well.

Thanks.

 

[G-dawg]

feverdream,

It is best to learn how to clean and maintain your trumpet by having someone show you, ideally in person, or with a video. It can be confusing explaining things on a message board. I would encourage to find someone in your area that can meet with you...maybe a local lesson teacher, a local band director, a local music store. You can do more damage than good.

To make a sound, you "buzz" your lips. Corners of the mouth should be firm...think about drinking a thick milkshake from a straw. The form your mouth makes when this happens is very similar to what should happen to make a trumpet sound. With your lips pressed together, you should be able to make a buzzing sound.

Hitting high notes can take a while. Focus, for starters, on playing open low C, G and high C. Exercises called lip slurs can help with flexibility and range. Once again, I would encourage you to find a professonial who can help you on a regular basis.

Best of luck!

 

[DougR]

Get a teacher - sounds trite but really it is the way to go - a good teacher can show you whats needed in the way of "Care and Feeding".

In the meantime

If you really must take valves out, ONE AT A TIME - then you know where it goes back.

If you get the Mouthpiece stuck, DONT FORCE IT.

 

[gary]

Man, unless you are one of the few gifted naturals, get a teacher. There are some instruments you can learn and get away with not getting it entirely right, but if you start wrong with a trumpet embouchure and develop bad habits, you are really screwed down the line.

 

[Al Stevens]

You put drops of valve oil on the valve surfaces, which you reach by removing the valves from the trumpet. In a rush, you can put drops of the oil down the holes in the valve caps on the bottom. You should oil the valves every day that you play the horn before you start playing.

The valves are usually numbered, so you know which valve goes where if you don't keep them in order when you remove them. (Number 1 is closest to your face.) If not, you can look at the apertures in the valves to see where they line up with the horn pipes. Put them in wrong, and you won't be able to blow air through the horn.

Slide lubricant keeps the four slides moving freely without siezing up. Remove each slide and smear some lubricant on the tubed surfaces. I've used peteroleum jelly for this purpose for 50+ years.

To play the trumpet, get a teacher. I'm self-taught. Not recommended. High notes take time to develop. Don't expect to get much above the staff for quite a while. Some players are naturals and have high notes sooner than others. There's no way to know if you are one of those.

Remember, a trumpet is just seven bugles. (Eight, actually, but two of them are the same.) Each valve combination provides a bugle of a different length in a different key. Consequently, playing notes is a combination of the correct fingering and the correct embouchure.

Good luck.

 

[Martin Williams]

Al Posted exactly what I was going to say.

Good luck, trumpet can be a great expirience!

Also, there is a great tpt forum like this one, it is called trumpetherald.com, they can give you tons of help.

 

[jaysne]

Forget about trying to hit high notes for now. You need to build up to them gradually. You have to first establish a solid foundation of proper buzzing technique and getting the lower notes to sound full and effortless while keeping the air flowing smoothly.

If you mess around with high notes before you're ready, you stand a good chance of seriously injuring your lips.

And, as everyone else said, get a teacher.