Musos in here for a quick question please

[daverave999]

On a whim, I've borrowed a trumpet. I seem to have got the hang of it after a couple of days; just going through scales now.

I'm thinking a couple of lessons may be an exceptionally good idea to learn about this embouchure and tonguing business, so, what's the best way to find an instrument teacher? Look in music shops or go and look on notice boards in the university music department or what? I have no musical training whatsoever.

TIA!

[Drewmidorn]

Haven't a clue... I'm afraid I haven't had a music lesson since i finished GCSE music 19 years ago... and trust me it shows! lol

Robusto may be a good starting point to ask.

D

[Robusto]

Ask around locally for any bands with GOOD trumpet players in them.

Find a local music website which might show players available to dep/teach.

Contact the BEST music shops in your area and talk to the staff.

We have a Kent Music School with peripatetic teachers and you might have an equivalent. (Just don't get an old duffer).

If you are near a University, go in and pin up a notice in the Music department looking for a teacher. (Often works).

Over here, our sax player teaches at the Yamaha School of Music and they have a trumpet specialist. I had sax lessons with my sax band bud, and those guys get you through a lot quickly - which suited me down to the ground.

Just don't get yourself lumbered with a blind theory merchant because it can slow down your progress and turn you off if you're going to be doing it on top of all the other things in life. Try to get someone who encourages you to improvise and who might be a performer.

I got keyboard lessons from a top synth/keys player round here a couple of years back for some tricks and was paying ?20/30 mins on mates' rates. Singing lessons round here with a guy with contacts can go up to ?50/hour. And, of course, this sky-rockets according to the demand, the location, the teacher's CV.

If you don't mind me throwing these points in randomly before breakfast...

Book TWO trial lessons only and judge your teacher. If he/she assesses your needs and helps you progress (and you get on), stick with the teacher. DON'T make a long-term commitment until you've experienced the teacher's style.

If the teacher prepares fuck all between lessons, or doesn't adapt to your needs, or repeats the same lesson as if the previous one hadn't happened (commonplace problem - avoid), then you either have a bad teacher or someone who only wants your cash.

Beware some young Undergraduate music student who bamboozles you with theory and dazzles you with his/her playing technique. The good teacher will come down to your level and needs and will not spend ten minutes playing at you to show off!

In one-to-one coaching, people have GOT to tailor it to your needs.

Sorry. I've been on the receiving end of good and bad for my own needs, and have to select the right people to come in to work for me.

I hope this is of some help, mate.

It is essentially the same route we take when looking for a dep player or a new member for the band - but we always start with reliable players who are personally recommended first.

Anyway...

Good luck, Dave. I hired a sax for three months and could not master the embouchure at all!

I have a very good multi-media sax coaching book for self-tuition and will lob a link for that here later. If there is a trumpet equivalent, it will be well worth getting, mate.

Here you go. This series is first class for a beginner.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000

Has DVDs and CDs etc to play along with. Sounds a bit gay, but they are very useful and high quality and quite fun.

Motivating to have a decent course if you decide to go it alone!

[daverave999]

That's a massive help thank you!