Beginner student help

[derekthor]

I've done some searching around, and while there's lot on the opposite issue, I couldn't find anything on this one.

I have a student in grade 5, part of a small brass class I teach (one euphonium, one trombone, and two trumpets) once a week, who is just starting trumpet and can't play above a low C. I've been trying to do as little talking as possible and mostly demonstrating, taking a good breath and having them try to match my sound. The other three students in the class are getting it, but she isn't, and I don't want to leave her behind, especially because she has such a great attitude in class. Any tips or tricks that might help?

[deleted_user_680e93b]

get her to play the lead pipe. sounds like she is starting with an open aperture. if she can play the lead pipe with a resonant sound she can play G.
Start her with the mouthpiece, lips together and blow air thru the piece. not looking for a buzz here, blow air then insert into the pipe. If her lips are together it has to vibrate.

good luck,

regards,

tom

[Billy B]

[derekthor]

[eric33]

[kalijah]

[Dezza]

I agree about not telling students to blow big. My teacher asked me to play a piece with a 4th space E in it and I kept messing up hitting that E. He told me the issue was that I didn't have enough air, had me huffing and puffing manically in the lesson as if I was going to **** the note into being. Still feel like i'm struggling to undo the tension from that experience (not blaming him entirely for my tension and issues of course, but I feel a lesson is the last place one should be forcing things like that)

[mafields627]

In a once a week situation, you're not in a position to reinforce the fundamentals on a daily basis, like in a normal band class. So, I'm going to ignore mechanics and start with the problem most beginners have: is she practicing consistently(ie, 20-30 minutes, five nights per week)? If not, nothing you do mechanically is going to help.
_________________
--Matt--

No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!

[Benson]

+1,000 on the leadpipe. Put your lips together and blow. I taught this to my 3 year old daughter and have taught beginning trumpet this way to 4th and 5th graders for 14 years. The word "buzz" isn't even mentioned to students because it results in a "flatulent" tone. Lips together and blow. I'll bet your student is starting with their lips spread apart, way apart.

Amazingly, trumpet leadpipes are pretty standard, especially on student instruments. When played with dynamite tone, they should sound an F (concert Eb). However, most beginners won't get that F when they are just starting, it will eventually. So focus on getting the E on the pipe. What's the first note they play with a full horn? E. Also, just the leadpipe helps solidify how to hold the instrument.

I never understood why we had to start trumpets on an open note. It's certainly not difficult to push down two valves for and E. Too often the C is too low to start, resulting in a spread out open embouchure. The G is too high, resulting in a student's ability to not get down to the C. Start on an E and work your way out is a logical compromise. Make E home base until they're playing is solid.

In addition, I've noticed students don't play with ENOUGH pressure. No, I'm not talking crazy tooth shattering pressure, but mouthpieces don't get pushed in enough. Sometimes all you need to do is push GENTLY onto the bell to get a little bit more pressure. Please, I'm not advocating high pressure playing, that would be irresponsible! The trumpet requires some pressure and our youngest need to hear it.

One last thing about the leadpipes... When this student really starts cooking and needs to get up to 3rd space C, pull the tuning slide off but only replace it on the leadpipe, so essentially you're making the leadpipe longer (it will blow in their face). Play again. It's a 3rd space C. In a few months, take the tuning slide off again and play high. What do you get? That's right, a top space G. You can keep going.

Regards,

Benson
_________________
Benson

[Proteus]

Try this as a way to double-check her embouchure, mouthpiece placement and (especially) aperture. Best method I've seen yet for correctly setting up a brass embouchure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvpYVXrOouU