How to get started with jazz trunpet

hepdoll · New Member Joined: 12 May 2012 Posts: 1

Hello! I am brand new to learning the trumpet and I am looking for some advice on what the fundamentals are in order to be able to play jazz and swing music, and how best to teach myself them. (Seems like a lot of the books recommended on here are for other styles, if I understood correctly.) I can read music and used to play flute long ago, so I am really excited to start playing an instrument that has some real punch!

Thanks in advance

mrsemman · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 6:47 am Post subject:

Welcome to the Trumpet Herald. While still a relatively newcomer myself, my first piece of advice would be to find an instructor to assist you in your efforts.

For example, the basics. After two years of lessons (twice a month), band practice (once per week) and two hours per day practicing, I finally learned what breathing versus blowing is all about. It doesn't mean that I have conquered it, but at least I can figure out what is happening.

However, there are some great books, and websites (do a search here) that can assist you greatly. And, there are some great players on the forum who would be eager to assist.

Gary
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Shofarblast · Regular Member Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 19 Location: KY

I agree that you need to find an instructor--the best you can afford. It is important to get the basic fundamentals of playing under your belt regardless of the style you want to play. A good instructor will help you with this and also help you avoid any bad habits that might hinder you down the road.

It's good to see your excitement. Keep playing.
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rockford · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject:

Listening is the key as well as imitation as well as a knowledge of theory. Louis Armstrong is a great place to start along with traditional dixieland style jazz. From there you could follow the timeline from the 30's, 40's and so on or focus on specific players to see what they did. Pick the stuff you like, set aside the stuff you don't and develop your own style. Like the other guys said, "Stay in touch with the basics of trumpet playing".
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chuck in ny · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 9:33 am Post subject:

you are starting to learn a difficult instrument. it's not that big a deal and has to be done in many little bites.
it's going to take you a while to get your physical apparatus up to snuff and so forth. the first part in playing jazz trumpet comes way before the jazz because it's a tremendous undertaking to learn to blow the trumpet well.
while all this is going on listening to jazz is the best start, whatever you like. youtube is your great friend in the internet age. while away your time in music appreciation.
now that it is the internet age, you can pick and choose a teacher anywhere in the world and take skype lessons, or find one in your area. i would recommend much careful asking around and reflection before choosing your teacher.
..chuck

kehaulani · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject:

There are tons of books and a lot of them have specific information that is very useful. But I would caution against "information overload". Keep in mind that jazz is an "aural" art.

IMO listening should be a priority. Listen voraciously to jazz. Don't limit it to recordings; get out and listen to live jazz as often as you can, too.

Pick a few favourite jazz solos and sing along with the recordings until you can match the phrasing and articulations, as well as doing it by memory. You don't necessarily need to limit the technical level of the solos at this stage, since you're singing and not playing.

Pick a solo that is within your technical level on your horn and do the same as in the paragraph above. Pay careful attention to every nuance the soloist is playing and match that. Play along. I find Miles' solo on "So What" from the recording "Kind of Blue" a good starting point for many beginning to learn to transcribe as the play.

This is just one aspect of transferring the jazz feeling from what you hear from great players to your own playing. Good luck!
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cheiden · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:40 pm Post subject:

Got to agree about getting a teacher to keep you from flailing on fundamentals. Trumpet can be very couterintuitive. I played with some success even though I was completely self-taught. The down side being that I also developed some hideously ineffecent techniques that caused me to have limited range and endurance that only got worse the harder I tried. Had my first lesson in my 30's and have been MUCH happier and been able to go to many gigs well beyond my earlier glory.

Once you have reasonable facility you might seek out a community college jazz band. The one I found was very accomodating and allowed me to work on all aspects of my playing.
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EWerner · Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:47 am Post subject:

Too add what other responses have already clearly stated (good instructor and listening to Jazz) learn and practice scales. Lots and lots of scales.

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:33 pm Post subject:

Aebersold ( http://www.jazzbooks.com/ )

Learn by doing...
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