Assignment 20: How to... (Tyler Gorman)

I like to think I'm decently skilled at playing trumpet, so here's a how to on playing trumpet:
1. Holding the trumpet
To properly explain how to hold a trumpet it's easiest to explain each hand separately.
Right hand: Your right index, middle, and ring fingers go on top of the three valves, and your pinkie goes inside the ring on top of the lead pipe of the trumpet, and it doesn't really matter what you do with your thumb.
Left hand: Your left hand supports the weight of the trumpet. The thumb goes on inside the rung on top of the first valve slide, the index and middle fingers wrap around the third valve, the ring finger goes in the ring on top of the third valve slide, and the pinkie goes wherever you want.

2. Assembling the trumpet
Insert mouthpiece into lead pipe.

3. Playing the trumpet
To make a sound on the trumpet you have to buzz your lips, which for many is the most difficult part. To buzz your lips you must firm up the corners of your mouth, leaving only a small hole in the center of your lips through which air can still pass. Then you blow air out through your mouth, tightening and loosening your embouchure until you manage to get a buzzing sound. Now you just replicate that sound into a mouthpiece, varying it slightly for every single note you play. Simple as that!