These exercises are to be played at a speed where MISTAKES ARE NOT MADE. (Always Use a metronome) If you try to play these exercises too fast, you are only practicing and reinforcing mistakes. It is much better to play slowly, accurately and consciously listening to your sound. It is more important to achieve a warm rich tone and pleasing articulation. DON'T PRACTICE MISTAKES!MAKE MUSIC (critically listen to what you are playing)
We are musicians and the reason we play the trumpet is to obtain 'musical experiences' that allow us to express our feelings and emotions. This is what practicing should be, working slowly and methodically on skill development - to obtain musical experiences. There are no shortcuts. It takes time and hard work to learn the art of trumpet playing. You will improve much faster through skill building. The rewards for your hard work can be amazing. YOU will be able to play a piece or phrase so beautifully, that no other person could do it better.
EXERCISES The exercises are arranged in the Circle of Fifths, The key of C followed by G, D and so on. Each key has 43 exercises - 23 Major exercises and 20 parallel Minor exercises. (You could reverse the signatures and play the first 23 in Minor and the next 20 in Major!) You should start practicing these exercises at about 60 BPM and skill build to 130 BPM. The volume should be about MF to F, a full rounded sound. Concentrate on the quality of your sound. Is your playing full, warm, rich, musical and pleasing?
EXERCISE NUMBERS: C = Numbers 1 - 43 Exercises
G = Numbers 44 - 86 Exercises
D = Numbers 87 - 129 Exercises
A = Numbers 130 - 172 Exercises
E = Numbers 173 - 215 Exercises
B = Numbers 216 - 258 Exercises
F# = Numbers 259 - 301 Exercises
Db/C# = Number s302 - 344 Exercises
Ab = Numbers 345 - 387 Exercises
Eb = Numbers 388 - 430 Exercises
Bb = Numbers 431 - 473 Exercises
F = Numbers 474 - 516 Exercises
