What is some advice you would tell a person if they are playing Trumpet for the first time?

Well, you should first practice some breathing exercises (as it becomes more complicated later on). Breath out through the mouthpiece for four counts and then in for four, etc... Also try to develop a good embouchure so you don't have to change it later (one of the most frustrating things to do as a trumpet player). Ehhh, other than that to start out, it's hard to help without more specific questions but feel free to email at uhhhno@msn.com

My first recmomendation would be to seek some assistance either from someone who is at least an advanced level trumpet player, or a private instructor. I took private lessons the first two years I played, and by the time I was in junior high I was playing at advanced high school level. Learning the right way, once your embouchure is developed, makes a lot of difference in the enjoyment factor of trumpet playing.

You should start off the the "Trumpet Bible", of course the Arbans book. It has everything you need to begin. Other books you should consider are the Clark studies book, and/or the schlossburg for later excercises. Beginning any new instrument takes time, patience, dedication and practice. Other than that you should start mouth-buzzing, then mouth piece buzz, then put your horn all together and play. Doing that will quickly build endurance, and in conjunction with the books your skill will improve also. Private lessons help also. Be patient and good luck!

Don't us the standard of exellence, they suck. When I hold my trumpet according to the way that book said, it's different from the way people do it on t.v and it starts to hurt after a while. By the way, what is the the proper way to hold a trumpet?!?!

HA, the proper way is the way the 'standard of excellence' books show.
Most trumpet players don't use this (though I do), complaining that it's too uncomfortable. The reason this is considered the best position is because you're sitting straight up with your arms out, which gives your lungs room to fill up with a lot of air.
People that slouch while playing usually have embrochure and air problems, so I suggest using the technique in the Standard of Excellence books.
Hey, no pain no gain right?
Blake.
B_roche@bellsouth.net

IT is the right way?! Oh well, guess I'll just have to live with the pain. Another reason I don't like standard of exellence is that they don't tell you how to make low and high notes. I had to look on 8notes for that.

In what way is it painful? If your lips are hurting it could be because your using to much pressure. Many people when they can't hit a high note push the trumpet against their face. Though this may help achieve the goal of playing the note at the time, it can be rather painful and could damage the embouchure and have a bad effect in the consistency of one's playing. I hope this helps. Many people use the 3 strikes rule: if you can't hit a note by the third try give it a rest and try again the next day. Otherwise it can be easy to get caught up in playing a note and to forget that we may be doing more than what is good for us.

Sit with your legs in indian style. then arch your back as much as possible.
then take the shallowest breath possible. from here, fold your tongue into a taco and blow your air into the trumpet.

just kidding

The part that hurts is your ring finger. Once you play long enough the finger gets all red and the next day your skin in that spot is all hard. By the way, I don't shove the horn in my face like some of those really sad souls who thought they could pick up a trumpet and play it instantly by shoving the horn in their face until their lips bleed.

Well TrumpetGeek, if what you say is true, that's a good thing.
When your finger gets all red, and then is hard the next day, that's good. It means you're forming a callus where you most need it, and if you plan on continuing to play the trumpet, you'll need that callus for even LONGER play sessions.
Blake

Oh, that happened to me too. I'm almost convinced there's a dent in my finger from holding the trumpet. It did help though when I started holding the majority of the weight of my trumpet in my left hand. As for whether or not a person should put his or her pinky in the ring of the trumpet, though I do it I have known various teachers don't and even recommend not putting the pinky in the ring. Apparently it helps finger speed? Anyway whatever is more comfortable is probably the best position for holding it. In fact, I think I read somewhere that the reason the pinky ring was invented in the first place was so musicians would be able to put mutes in and play at the same time.

I have a dent in my finger too My mom wondered what it was, I also have no idea how she saw it.

Start out as any other person. Put the trumpet to your face and try to play a note. Now, make sure you have teacher to guide and help you with whatever you're doing. Don't blast straight to the Arban book because you might just confused the crap out of yourself. Buy some beginner books, and have a look around. Once you got the scales down and your sight reading down..shoot for the arban book. Then you can get to all the other fancy books and start hittin up the good stuff.

I don't know if this is normal, but when I'm doing spikes(kicks) on high C's(2nd leger line) I'm standing in jazz band and I kinda lean back and push the bell of my trumpet down. It seems to help me move the air faster. If my definition wasn't clear, I'm holding the trumpet normally and I just move the bell down when I hit the note. Good luck with the new horn!