Allison Griffiths Instrument Micro Lesson Plan: The Trumpet

Winds/Percussion Due: 10/1/12

The Basics of Learning to Play the Trumpet I. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. II. What parts make up a trumpet? Mouth-piece (includes ring, cup, throat, back-bore, and shank) Mouth-piece receiver Lead Pipe First Valve Second Valve Third Valve First Valve Slide Second Valve Slide Third Valve Slide Third Valve Ring Water Key Bell Primary Tuning Slide How do I take care of all these things? a. Start with mouth-piece: Brush out residue and dirt from mouth-piece daily with a soft cloth or scrub-brush. Approximately once a week, either boil your mouth-piece in water or clean with baking soda. b. Also daily: lubricate, or oil, all of your tuning slides and your three valves; *essential to the health of the instrument* Show them the oil and grease! WHEN DEALING WITH VALVES: be very careful as they are delicate; when replacing them in the casing, make sure to line of the number on the valve so that it faces the mouth-piece and so that the little peg fits in the inner groove inside the casing. (DEMONSTRATE) c. To clean the entire instrument: gently flush warm, soapy water through it (with its valves and slides out) and rinse with warm water. (Remember to always flush new instruments with warm water.) d. The Very Basics: hold your trumpet with both hands when carrying it (use anecdote); dont pop out any slides; dont jam in the mouth-piece. How do I put it together? a. Put your case in front of you with the latches facing you b. Open the case

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c. Take out the body of the trumpet with your left hand and the mouth-piece with your right d. Insert the mouth-piece into the mouth-piece receiver; give it a GENTLE twist IV. How do I hold it? a. Place your left thumb in the middle of the first valve (on the side) and wrap your other fingers around the valves, with your middle finger going into the Third Valve Ring b. Gently cup your right hand in a C shape and place your right thumb directly under the lead pipe (above the left thumb); DO NOT place your pinky in the finger ring: it inhibits the movement of your third finger! c. While doing this, be sure to sit or stand tall, with your shoulders apart and ribcage lifted; sitting on the very front quarter of the chair will help this. Also, keep your feet firmly on the ground (uncrossed) and keep the wrists firm, but not tense. **Be sure to discuss BREATH SUPPORT in this portion: relate lifted rib cage to the diaphragm; if they cant get it, have them lie down and breathe to get the feeling. What do I do with my lips? a. Wet your lips A LITTLE BIT (dont have the kids slurping or anything) b. Smile c. Make a kissy face (like Sebastian from The Little Mermaid) d. Smile again and slowly move into the kissy face (STOP THE KIDS WHEN THEY MAKE THE RIGHT EMBOUCHURE) e. If this doesnt work, have them make a peace sign with their fingers and put it up to their mouths; then have them say wee, keeping the corners of their mouths firm, and then too, keeping the lips free f. Have them buzz here for a few seconds (without mouth piece) g. Make sure they keep their chins flat and the cheeks in h. Have them create the embouchure again and then pick up the mouth-piece and CENTER it on their lips; if they have dental problems, take that into account when asking them to center the mouth-piece (may be difficult or impossible for certain kids) i. Ask them to buzz into the mouth-piece (THIS IS THE PRODUCTION OF THE FIRST TONE: Be sure to make them feel really good about this accomplishment) j. If theyre getting this, talk to them about how to change pitch without using your valves; discuss overtones and that you should use faster air and more directed air, NOT PRESSURE, to change your pitch k. Emphasize the importance of air!

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Now lets make some music! a. Introduce concert B-flat (C) b. Play one whole note, two half notes, and four quarter notes on this pitch c. Introduce D d. Play one whole note, two half notes, and four quarter notes on this pitch e. Introduce E f. one whole note, two half notes, and four quarter notes on this pitch g. Play Hot Cross Buns in call and response form!

***Keep a slow-ish pace and dont get flustered. ***