Whether you’re a music teacher or someone who wants to pick up the horn purely for recreational purposes and self-gratification, it is important to find and by the absolute best trumpet books for the relevant skill level. Unfortunately, there are currently lots of instructional materials being offered to both new and seasoned players. This can make it difficult to determine which options are right for specific needs and musical goals. Following are several key factors to review ahead of finalizing any purchase.
Songs That Players Know And Love
Finding trumpet books with songs that players recognize is about far more than ensuring that they’ll have fun throughout the formative stages of the learning process. Playing a known and very basic tune can be infinitely easier than playing a complex piece of music that has never been heard before. This is especially true when playing the trumpet or any other horn like it. This instrument only has three keys. Apart from these, players will have to make very specific adjustments to their embouchure in order to create the required sounds. Determining whether or not a sound is being played correctly is often made possible through a personal familiarity with the song in question.
Companion CDs
Companion CDs are incredibly popular additions to beginner and intermediate trumpet books. Much like recognizable tunes, these resources make it easier for new players to determine whether or not they’re doing things correctly. Although most new musicians have the benefits of personal or in-class instruction, those who are truly committed to excelling in this area will also spend a lot of time practicing on their own. With a companion CD, these people can get the guidance they need for ensuring that their playing improves. These tools are also vital for avoiding repeated mistakes and the need to break bad habits further down the road.
Skill-Building Activities
All of the best instructional books for trumpet players have a broad range of skill-building activities. This is true whether these books are meant for beginning, intermediate, or advanced-level players. Skill-building activities can include slurring and staccato exercises, chromatic scales, time signature changes, major and minor scales, and more. These are exercises that players can run through on a daily basis in order to expedite their progression to proficiency.
Important Advice
Although a good trumpet book will be largely filled with music, it should also helpful advice that all players need, particularly at the beginning of instruction. For instance, these tips might be centered on reading music or interpreting compositions. There should also be tips on building a strong embouchure. This feature can be just as important as having quality, skill-building exercises when it comes to ensuring that new trumpet players are capable of making pleasing sounds.