Hello

[paulfcnnrs]

Hi everyone,

New player here. I have a horn and a book that I bought off Amazon. I am making some good progress and having lots of fun. I am going to get some lessons when I have the opportunity. I am wondering though, what things should I be working on?

Any and all advice appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul

[JayKosta]

Main thing is to learn a proper embouchure - how you form / control / manipulate your lips and entire mouth. It's easy to start off using an embouchure method that seems to work, but which will eventually create problems because it is isn't suitable for more advanced playing.

A critical point is that playing higher pitched notes should be done by careful and precise control of your lip FIRMNESS - not by stretching the lip like a rubber-band, and not by jamming the mouthpiece against your lips to get high pitched squeaks. Yes there is pressure needed to prevent air leaks around the rim, and pressure does help stabilize the needed lip firmness, but the pressure is much less important than controlling your lip muscles to produce the firmness. Excessive pressure will cause pain and injury, and will STOP the lip from being able to vibrate.

There is a good discussion here -
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1587451#1587451

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[paulfcnnrs]