Trumpet Foundations: The Embouchure for Trumpet and Getting Your First Sounds

FULL (free!) beginner trumpet course at www.blackwellst...
“…these videos are amazing! They should be in every beginner brass classroom. I really appreciate your very logical step-wise approach…This sure is a better way than what we teach in public school where students buzz on a mouthpiece for months! Your approach is perfect and blowing through the mouthpiece and then adding the horn’s resistance is actually how brass playing works. This will help thousands of students, (and) make teachers re-evaluate how to teach brass.”
- Jimmy K. High School Band Director for 33 years
“I am a total beginner - and your method of blowing through the mouth piece and getting a buzz 100% worked - and made me feel a different style of getting a tone. D*mned if I didn’t start playing a low C and G effortlessly doing that. Before, I felt like I strained to transition to “G”. That whole method really opened up my eyes to how easy it should be to play those two notes. (I also) got a laugh out of my son when he was looking at me playing trumpet with a piece of paper on the pinky ring. However, it’s VERY effective in giving me feedback. My darn pinky LOVES to curl around that rest…”
- Kevin H. 4-5 hours previous playing experience.

[@123trumpetplayer]

It is so nice of you to break everything down into steps. Some of us have developed bad habits over the years and we need to go back and start from the beginning. I was never taught anything about embouchure formation. I was sort of on my own when starting band. It is no wonder I had limitations all the way into college. When looking for trumpet methodology books, so many instructors make things so difficult and hard to understand. You, my friend, are a breath of fresh air. I will be implementing your advice immediately. Just consider me one of your students.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, 123trumpetplayer. Glad to know it's motivating to you :-) More to come!

[@wheetgeneration]

I've been working on re-learning the trumpet after 40 years for months, and this video got me over the embouchure hump better than anything else has. Your description of where the rim of the mouthpiece should touch. I had the rim on my thick lips themselves and sounded like an angry goose. Now I am hearing notes. Many thanks!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

haha! Glad it has been helpful!

[@vinniepaah5264]

If I saw this video of yours 8 years ago I'd save years of worthless practice when I thought trumpet playing is working hard on producing a note. If I knew no MP buzz is needed before connecting to the leadpipe I'd advance much further abd would't be stuck mid-way to high C. Anyone just starting trumpet on their own shoud see this video. Thank you for a clear explanation!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Hi VinniePaah, glad it helped clear things up for you. Any further questions do not hesitate to ask. James

[@vinniepaah5264]

James - thanks. If you could make a video on a typical short practice routine with the emphasis on general expanding range, that would be great.

[@deegesst]

I have played on an off for over 45 years. Amateur, semi-pro and now pro. I don't ever recall anyone suggesting or me trying to blow air thru a mouthpiece without buzzing. Brilliant and so simple! This so helpful. Much thanks!

[@MrDrumz98]

Heyy, thank you so much for the video. Im starting to make some decent noises but sometimes i struggle just getting the air out while forming the embochure. How do i get that small opening between the lips?

[@douggubbe]

OMG. I am a tenor sax player that just started learning trumpet. I was getting really discouraged having watched other videos on embouchure and not seeing progress. Looking forward to trying your technique!

[@KirstyKomuso]

Thank you for your video. I found this very helpful. Just teaching myself with a view to moving to flügelhorn. So many people emphasise an "m" sound or 'buzz' which really isn't the same. I found your blowing ideas more appropriate. Cheers

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Glad it worked for you!

[@jonathanv9544]

Muchas gracias desde Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@nelsonpenaranda2745]

Gracias...excelente aporte a los trompetistas q incentivamos el aprendizaje de los q sienten vocación por la trompeta...gracias.

[@anikanelson3410]

What is the circular ring you are using for us to see the aperture?

[@TheDemonicJenny]

I played trumpet when i was a kid and decided to pick it back up as i still have the trumpet. Nobody ever explained lip placement like this to me and it makes a world of difference!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Awesome! Glad this worked for you

[@thomsonemmanuel6388]

Good 🇩🇪🎺

[@grantmcchesney]

Thank you so much, I was really struggling trying to get my embouchure for the first time. All the other videos I watched tried to teach it by vibrating your lips without the mouthpiece first, yours is the first that said it didn't matter. And it worked! You're a great teacher, thank you for making this video.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, GM. I'm glad to hear this was of help to you. On a side note, If you are interested, I'm putting together a beginner video course and am currently searching for beginners to BETA test the lessons. As a thank you I'm offering the BETA testers free, lifetime access to the course. Something you'd be interested in? If so shoot me and e-mail and I'll let you know the details. [e-mail]

[@Tvi1]

BlackwellsTrumpetBasics are you still looking for beta testers or do you have a beginner course? I am new to the trumpet. This video helped me alot!

[@cicciosinger6322]

Thank you so much, Excelente, the best video number one..... Thanks

[@medicineman1202]

Do you give private lessons go Skype?

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Hey Victor! contact me if still interested. [e-mail]

[@stephencunliffe3879]

Excellent ! Thanks

[@mattrod613]

I've played trumpet for 3.5 years and just got back from marching middle lead trumpet with the Mandarins. I have a bad habit of puckering and creating throat tension, so my teachers started talking to me about this natural embouchure that is formed by just blowing and fitting your lips in the mp. The way you've explained everything I'm all of your videos has made a HUGE immediate leap in my playing and I thank you highly for that! I'm so excited to develop even further

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

That's awesome, Matthew. Thanks for checking it out :-) Best of luck to you man!

[@zaniahfranklin7022]

BlackwellsTrumpetBasics you ugly

[@rajendraoli9371]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@BurtBowers]

Having no teeth am I able yet to play the trumpet?

[@erikandreasbonde551]

Some advocates trying to hit a higher note.. g or c in the staf (c is better) because you then eventually get easier high register... Do you have a comment on that? (van cleave is much to that, and trumpet is wonderful in high register, when it sounds good what it has to!)

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Hi Erik. yes I believe that is a good strategy as well. I've found that so long as I set my embouchure the same way for every note being played it all kind of works itself out over time. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@user_28373]

So your telling me...that I don’t need to buzz at all? Why are all these videos on KZbin saying to buzz? It’s crazy

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

you can - and buzzing can be helpful to your playing, but if you find it very challenging this is a good way to get going. thanks for watching!

[@d.juneconley7349]

this is by far the best video for beginners I wish you lived in vancouver I would love you as a teacher!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

thanks, June!

[@cebastianmoses624]

It is much different then playing the tuba! Your cheeks can actually be full with it.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

yeppers. smaller mouthpiece = more aperture compaction

[@richardebbole1]

excellent

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, Richard. Glad it was useful.

[@NeoLevers]

Why do so many teachers emphasize mp buzzing, when we can simply blow air as you have shown?

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

lots of players get very good results mouthpiece buzzing so some of it is definitely just "different strokes for different folks." Also, many times people don't know about this technique altogether and are just delivering the messages that were sent to them! Thanks for the comment and take care, James

[@liana9896]

Thank you for including tips for ppl with big lips. This is the first time i've seen someone mention this!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Glad it helped :)

[@user_28373]

Thank you so much for teaching the breathing over the mouthpiece on the embouchure. I was so confused about how to do that.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

glad you enjoyed!

[@nelsonpenaranda2745]

Desde Cochabamba Bolivia..GRACIAS

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, Nelson!

[@kaarenremley7585]

Good tip (taking breaks). Thank you!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

You bet!

[@th3gr81]

Just bought my first trumpet, thank you.

[@theone2436]

How is it going? Mine came today.

[@antonymouedine9960]

c'est très bien!!ainsi la peau des deux lèvres doit toucher l'interieur de l'embouchure..bravo

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

yep! Or at least keep the lips close inside the mouthpiece. everyone is a little different but that's a good starting place.

[@s1914]

Superb video, thank you

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

thanks for stopping by. :-)

[@pablomoyasolano1561]

Excelente teacher I want to learn!!!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

You can do it!

[@scracher3958]

My lips is very big What i Do

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

roll them in slightly. Check out pictures of Thad Jones playing and not playing to see what I mean.

[@antoniocruz1163]

very nice

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

thanks for watching :)

[@elilist9674]

Jesus says to inhale through the mouthpiece. Like for infinite garlic bread

[@vincentdesiano4861]

I'm a veteran teacher (not a trumpet teacher) of nearly 30 years here in NYC. And I must say, you have the gift! I was wondering if you could help me with something. I've been taking trumpet lessons for several months (I learned to play a bit when I was in HS-which of course, was many years ago). I was hoping you could help me with something. I can only practice for very short periods of time before me lips would tire and I would have to rest. Also, it's difficult for me to get a buzz on the mp and sustain it for long before it turns to wind only. My range is quite narrow and my attacks are not always clean (I don't remember having this issue once I got things off the ground). Thankfully, my sound is good-at least up until I start to tire. I wouldn't expect you, or anyone, to give a diagnosis via this media. I was just wondering if you could point me in the right direction, as I find this issue very frustrating! In any event, you are an exceptionally gifted teacher. Keep up the good work!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Hi Vincent, thank you for your comment and good vibes. To give you an example of typical practice sessions I'll go 10 minutes max on a single exercise and then take a break or switch to something else. If you do that three times a day you'll notice an improved endurance, especially if (others may disagree) you set to play like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWKvmqpmZtGsrNk - You may be doing this already, but if not it might help with those other problems you described. thanks again for watching I appreciate ya!

[@Katisnotaneyeball]

I play the trombone, and your video helped me nail trumpet embouchure! it’s so different that my main instrument lol

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

excellent!

[@pongespob]

The embouchure when playing looks *NOTHING* like how it does when blowing on hot soup or anything else for that matter. Absolute nonsense. For that matter there isn't one way the embouchure looks - it changes depending on range and volume.

[@armandogiordano1226]

you're everywhere hahaha

[@manfrede69]

the hot Soup is a Good starting point

[@nikolayao1801]

Just for making tones