Can you handle the wildest trumpet tricks that only the pros know?
From mind-bending circular breathing to jaw-dropping Triple-Tonguing, these show-stopping skills will have you questioning if your trumpet is secretly a magical wand.
Get ready to unleash your inner brass wizard and impress your friends—or at least make them laugh as you attempt to master these outrageous techniques!
The Magic of Circular Breathing
Circular breathing is a mesmerizing technique that allows trumpet players to produce a continuous sound without ever having to pause for a breath. This impressive skill involves inhaling through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out through the mouth, creating an uninterrupted flow of music that can leave audiences in awe.
Mastering circular breathing takes practice and patience, but once you’ve got it down, you can play long, lyrical passages that seem to defy the limits of human breath—it’s a game-changer for any brass musician!
For those eager to learn this captivating technique, check out tutorials like the one linked above. They offer tips and tricks for conquering this impressive skill.
The Lip Trill Challenge
The lip trill challenge is a fun and exhilarating way for trumpet players to showcase their skills while tackling those elusive high notes!
This technique involves vibrating your lips together to produce a rapid, fluttering sound, which can add a playful flair to your playing. Not only does it help improve your embouchure and breath control, but it also provides an entertaining way to engage with fellow musicians and audiences alike.
As you master the lip trill, you’ll find yourself soaring through scales and melodies with newfound confidence, making those high notes feel like a breeze. Whether you’re jamming with friends or performing on stage, this challenge is sure to impress and leave everyone wondering how you hit those notes with such ease.
Mastering the Plunger Mute for Iconic Jazz Sounds
Muting with a plunger is a signature technique that gives trumpet players that iconic jazz “wah-wah” sound, instantly transporting listeners to the smoky clubs of the jazz era.
By using a simple rubber plunger, musicians can create a variety of tonal colors and effects, manipulating the sound to add depth and character to their playing.
This technique involves partially covering the bell of the trumpet while varying the distance and angle of the plunger, allowing for expressive crescendos and playful dips that enhance any performance. The plunger mute not only adds a unique flavor to solos but also allows for creative interactions with other musicians, making it a staple in jazz ensembles.
The Playful Technique of Flutter-Tonguing
Flutter-tonguing is a captivating technique that can add a unique flair to your musical solos, making them stand out and grab attention. While it may sound intimidating at first, mastering this technique is easier than you might think!
Essentially, flutter-tonguing involves rolling your tongue while producing sound, creating a rapid, fluttering effect that can evoke a playful or dramatic atmosphere. It’s a favorite among wind instrument players but can also be adapted for vocalists and other musicians looking to spice up their performances.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to incorporate flutter-tonguing into your solos, impressing your audience and adding a new layer of expression to your music.
Precision and Flair with Triple-Tonguing
Triple-tonguing is an exhilarating technique that can propel your playing speed to astonishing levels, making your passages sound as rapid as a machine gun!
This method involves alternating between the syllables “ta,” “ka,” and “ta,” allowing you to articulate notes with remarkable clarity and precision. While it may seem daunting at first, with dedicated practice, you’ll find your fingers and tongue can move in perfect sync, creating a seamless flow of notes.
Not only does triple-tonguing enhance your technical prowess, but it also adds an exciting dynamic to your performances.
Trumpets for the Pros
Bach 180S37 Stradivarius Series
FEATURES: High-precision machined valve section and nickel-silver outer slides
OTHER INFO: The hand-hammered yellow brass bell delivers rich and compact quality
- Perfect for all genres of music
- It comes with a deluxe wood case and a Bach 7C mouthpiece
- None
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Yamaha YTR-8335RS Xeno Series
FEATURES:
- Handcrafted, one-piece
bell for superior tone and projection
- Monel alloy pistons for
smooth and responsive action
- Large bore size for a rich and full sound
- Produces a rich and full sound with excellent projection
- Smooth and responsive action for precise playing
- High-quality and durable construction for reliable performance
- Higher price point than intermediate or beginner-level trumpets
- May require more maintenance and care due to its advanced features
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Jupiter JTR700 Standard Bb Trumpet
FEATURES: Nickel silver outer slides
OTHER INFO: Clear lacquer finish
- Finger buttons in mother-of-pearl look
- Beginner-friendly breath resistance
- 1st and 3rd valve slides provide effortless adjustability
- It comes with a standard ABS case
- Some users have reported valve sticking issues, impacting playability and necessitating maintenance
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Mastering Wild Techniques for a Captivating Trumpet Performance
If you’re ready to elevate your trumpet skills to a whole new level, tackling these wild techniques will undoubtedly do the trick!
From the mesmerizing art of circular breathing to the playful challenges of lip trills, each method offers a unique way to impress your audience and expand your musical repertoire. Mastering the plunger mute can transport you to the heart of jazz while flutter-tonguing and triple-tonguing will add flair and speed to your solos.
With dedication and practice, you’ll master these impressive skills, making your trumpet feel like a true wand of musical wonder.
While the flutter-tonguing technique definitely adds flair, I believe its effectiveness varies significantly by musical genre. It’s undeniably catchy in jazz solos, but can be somewhat jarring in classical pieces unless done with extreme precision. It would be interesting to see a discussion on how different players adapt it to various styles of music.
Agreed, it really depends on the piece. In some cases, it can be the highlight of the performance!
Triple-tonguing sounds intense. I’ve been practicing daily, but still can’t get as fast as I wanna be. Guess it’s more about technique than speed? Would love to hear anyone’s take on this.
Regarding the segment on triple-tonguing, I’ve read numerous articles and papers suggesting that while the technique can dramatically increase passage speed, it requires an exceptional level of precision and practice to ensure clarity and accuracy of each note. I’m curious, Cai Isfryn, how you might suggest balancing speed with precision, especially for those of us who are relatively new to the trumpet and still mastering the basics?
Agreed with MelodyMaster, it’s all about that slow practice and building muscle memory.
TechTalkTina, a focus on slow, deliberate practice while gradually increasing speed may help. Also, breaking down passages into smaller sections can improve both speed and accuracy.
The section on using a plunger mute was pretty insightful. I’ve seen it done in live performances but never really understood how it worked till now. Gives that authentic jazz feel that’s hard to replicate without proper technique.
Plunger mute is cool for that vintage vibe, love it!
Trying the lip trill challenge, wish me luck lol
Loved the bit on circular breathing, Cai Isfryn! It’s such a game changer for my students learning the trumpet. Gonna include some of your tips in my next class. Cheers!
Patience and practice! Start with easy exercises and slowly work your way up.
Any advice for beginners struggling with it?
Loved the section on circular breathing, Cai Isfryn. Quick Q though, do you think the same technique would boost my sax play? Always struggled keeping those long notes smooth.
Absolutely! Circular breathing’s a game changer for any wind instrument. Takes practice but well worth it.