So, You Wanna Play the trumpet?

[Huskyowner2007]

Kennmalc, is there exercises to make my embouchure better? My buzzing is weak. I can't get the G, high E, and even high C. Please help.

[Kennmalc]

@Huskyowner2007 Try the silent whistle. This is where you hone your whistling airstream( outward whistle and no fingers, ha ha) and then take it up a notch to work for a clear, neat ,

practically soundless airstream (controlling it similar to a water hose stream). Once that is achieved, you can control your sounds (notes) with or without the mouthpiece (sans trumpet).

Then transfer this skill through the mouthpiece and then the trumpet and you'll soon be surprised at "your" sound.

KA

[Kennmalc]

@Huskyowner2007

P.S. Once you got this under control, there's no note you shouldn't be able to play, high or low.

KA

[Huskyowner2007]

@Kennmalc Thanks I have been training my embouchure with a pencil exercise. I'll try your way too. But can you show an example with a video post? What do you mean by silent whistle? Is it like buzzing? It's hard. I thought I got it but when I play it I can't hold a tone like a open C transferring it to an open G. Do you think it's something wrong the valve?

[Kennmalc]

At this point, remember the old NY joke:

"How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice practice!"

Don't be impatient with yourself.

KA

[Kennmalc]

@Huskyowner2007

Do what I said about the silent whistle, but start inserting your tongue with the whistle;this is how the buzzing starts. Experiment with your airstream It may take time, but I'm sure you'll get it right (your sound).

Kennmalc

[Kennmalc]

@Huskyowner2007 Whistling. It strengthens the muscles as you hone you whistle to a silent whistle and then (slipping in the tounge) becoming the "buzz". Don't be impatient.

[Kennmalc]

@Huskyowner2007 Whistling. It helps strengthens the muscles as you hone the whistle to a silent whistle and then (slipping the tounge) becoming the "buzz". Don't be impatient.

[crystallinentity]

What kind of horn is that?

[Kennmalc]

A Bach Strad intermediate (that's been around.)

[jameslarkensmith]

Very nice! Like a poem read in the beatnic era!

[Kennmalc]

Thanks. (Maynard G. Krebs, beatnik.) This was two years ago.

[Kennmalc]

Not sure, but it seems right.

Have a good one.

[murphdogdog18]

is the trumpet the instrument you always see in a black and white 40s scene?

[Kenjihaden]

I feel you, man...that was sincere, and kind of nutty...thanx...i think...

[Kennmalc]

Thanks. Part of the growing process.

[83WC]

Poor old Louie is in heaven with his hands over his ears

[Kennmalc]

I try to grow and grow to try. What are you doing?

[83WC]

Sorry man, but it just wasnt very good

[Kennmalc]

Well, it was over a year ago and I've gotten better since (check some of my current stuff).

At this time, I was sharing as I was Learning, which is the whole purpose. As I grow, you may not get THE best but you'll get MY best. (May you hear something you'll like, eventually-Kenn)

[83WC]

ok so

[Kennmalc]

Remember, we all have to start somewhere. Nobody starts "good".

[83WC]

Yeah ok whatever master splinter, piss off

[julesdragonfly]

Fab ! you've got ' presence ' ! ! jules

[Kennmalc]

Get ready for my new stuff; my chops are doing great. Kenn

[CrinkleCutBeatroot]

This was really helpful thanks, you're one cool cat

[bluerajacat]

kmo'l

[bixntram]

Hey, Ken, how you doin,' man? I met you at the VJC jam session the week before last. It was great jamming with you there; hope you come back through Brattleboro soon. Thanks for all the encouragement. I've met some other trumeters who were competitve and aloof, but you were friendly and open. I wish we had traded emails, but I'll send you mine in a separate post. Take care, Scott

[Kennmalc]

Aesthetically, you do what you need to have your horn look good, especially in the public's eye, otherwise, if it still sounds solid to you, you're fine. It would be a good idea, though, to have it checked for unseen damage, metal fatigue, etc.

[kittyfreek]

How sweet. Thanks kennmalc for sharing this.

Those simple every day exercises we do, that build skills: matching the inner sounds we hear with those that others make and through that special, special piece of tubing create ourselves. I love music but best of all I love the trumpet!!!

[Kennmalc]

Your skill is proportionate to your interest and Love is the ultimate interest. (Your work is done; now you have fun.)

[TacoManT]

cool. thanks for posting the vid.

[Kennmalc]

IMPORTANT NOTE! Though I don't demonstrate it in this video, playing long-tones can help create who you are. Doing long tones for every note is similar to other artists who focus attentively and separately to each minute part of thier work, searching for and correcting, to thier satisfaction, every tiny flaw, making it all so familiar and distinctly thier own.

[chihiro602]

My highest note i can play is high E!!! I NEEED TO PLAY MORE HIGH NOTES!

[Kennmalc]

Practice your pedal tones and concentrate on tightening your airstream.

[schklaus]

sorry, i'm not good in musical english. what is a pedal tone?

[Kennmalc]

The lowest notes on the scale (below lower G.)

[wipperwill]

I love your analogies, you really should make more of these, good job.

[Kennmalc]

Thank you. To continue with the airstream notes (below) add to this practice the use of the tongue as a valve to stop and release the air and (as you get to feel what you're doing) to manipulate the airflow and personalize your airstream. Every note a solo.

[fadaela]

i just got a trumpet and i have trouble buzzing, how exactly do u buzz? becuz i can't whistle so does that mean that i won't be able to play the trumpet? I need to learn now becuz i just joined my high school band.

[Kennmalc]

Whistling is just a noisy airstream. If you breathe you have an airstream. Practice blowing strong, short (at first) bursts of air, gradually tightening your lips, giving less room for the air to escape (akin to releasing air from a balloon). As you eventually hone this skill, you'll be able to control this airflow and the resultant sounds (The Buzz) that you'll (purposely) make. Transfer this skill to the trumpet

and you're on your way.

[Pizzatorte123]

I do play trumpet and I have trouble getting high notes. (I have been playing for like 3/4 years). Any suggestions?

[Kennmalc]

A. Pedal tones; B. Intervals &C. Patience and don't try too hard (an easy airstream). Good luck

[mhomenow]

stop playing

[Kennmalc]

I've only just started.

[trumpet38416]

great vid. i wish my skill was proportionate to my intrest...

[Kennmalc]

Attention! Triple tongueing is a bit of a misnomer; put your jaw into play, also. Try vibrating or fast, but subtle open and closing of the mouth/jaw without the trumpet and add sound - you'll see what I mean. Put this into play with your regular way of tonguing and you might be surprised.

[funeralpyre88]

wow... smart guy... u definitely fuckin know what ur talkin about... teach me... make more videos.... i will look forward to them.... perfection understood

[Kennmalc]

Don't forget imagery (see your notes and where they're going.)

[haraldtheman]

i didnt like this

[haraldtheman]

watch my channel for cool trumpet playing by a prodigy!

[Scheezy902]

really good job, just try to get ur camera a little louder i cant hear that well

But GOOD JOB Anyways!

[Kennmalc]

Sorry 'bout that, it's not always easy with cheap equipment.

[ptk921]

aw man i had it turned up real loud for his speaking-- then he played those last notes and it hurt my ears. ew

[Kennmalc]

A quick way to reach your upper register is to practice you lower register, ideally your pedal tones.

If you want to be a serious player don't get awed by high note playing; learn your instrument and all the notes it can play - ignore none. With constant playing, you'll soon play all the registers without giving it specific thought.

[voideyez]

Well said. Personally I find there is too much publicity put into playing high. Tone matters.

I look forward to more instructional videos!

[bosherrz]

i need to get high im first in my high school jazz band and ive only been playing since last febuary i have a 7C mouthpeice and can hit a high C like once in a blue moon lol help?

[Kennmalc]

Time constraints are always a factor and practice routines seem endless. So, if you must minimalize, besides scales (a must), do long tones and intervals (Do intervals with the scales in long tones and you got a near-perfect routine.); become intimate with your playing and realize that it's all coming from you. Every note a solo.

[voideyez]

Thank you! long tones, scales and peds.

[trablusgarp]

thanks for everything

don't give up on us :)

[voideyez]

Perfection! I cannot wait for more. I've been taking notes. THANK YOU KEN!

Buzzing, focus on air, manipulate the air. Vibration. Understood!