1.3. Playing the Instrument

GOALS: Develop consistency in forming embouchure, breathing through corners of mouth, matching pitches and articulation / Play a note on the instrument

• Form Embouchure: say emm, place finger at the aperture and poo it away 

• Match Pitch: on mouthpiece, so call and response with sing/buzz (on Bb concert only) repeat with giving positive feedback, and lots of smiling

• Add articulation to call and response pitch matching on mouthpiece

• Intro to the Trumpet: put the mouthpiece in the horn and give it a gentle twist. Instruct proper holding of horn with left and right hands. The left hand should hold the valve pistons and not go in the third valve ring unless their hand is big enough to do so naturally. 

NOTE: Trumpet is a long and heavy instrument for a child. If the instrument is resting on the leg or on a pillow it's fine. If the student is sitting on a sofa, that's fine. The goal at this point is to have the child be comfortable holding the horn. Given the option, I always choose the use of Cornet with children. The cornet is a tighter wrap and therefore a shorter instrument which puts the center of gravity closer to the body. Cornet feels lighter and less cumbersome for the child. On either instrument, it is fine to allow the student to use the pinky hook with the right hand. 

• Play the Trumpet: play a written C 4 below the staff (Bb concert). First sing the pitch, then play. Do call and response with student, give only positive feedback, smile and be reassuring. Talk very little at this point. just smile and continue with call and response. If the student continually plays a G or C in the staff, make no comment and follow their lead. This is their natural place and that's fine. Go with it. 

• Articulation: play 'thee thee' on their one note in varying patterns. If they don't match your pattern, make no comment and just follow theirs. This is student-directed learning.

FINISH: Play something for your student on the trumpet or share a YouTube Video. Video Search Suggestion: Ryan Anthony, Amazing Grace (flugelhorn)