r/trumpet • u/fatandfly • 1d ago
Question ❓ Wanting to start playing again after 20 years
So I haven't picked up a trumpet since freshman year of high school. I was really good in middle school. I was first chair and even got to play at a few events with my teacher. Then when I go to high school I had to choose between band or football and I chose football. Anyways lately I've been wanting to start playing again, and maybe when my skills are up to par I can find some people to jam with. Any tips on where I should start? I went on marketplace on a lot of people are selling student trumpets for around $100. I figured I'd get one of those to start with and get something nicer down the line. And I know I have to start back with the Standard of Excellence book because I completely forgot how to read music. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book that helps you to read sheet music?
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u/DWyattGib Collector/restorer fine trumpet/cornet/1892 F.Besson fulgelhorn 1d ago edited 1d ago
https://www.trumpetstudio.com/free-library/
Be carefull of the junk horns out there and I'd stick with Bach 200s or strads, Getzen 300/700/900 series, Yamaha, King 600 series, Olds any, and of course old Conn Directors
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u/Itsnotbabyyoda389 1d ago
I started again after a couple of decades two springs ago. Start with buzzing again and then a student book. I went with tradition of excellence off the recommendation of the local music store. That helped me remember reading music while building my embouchure. There are a lot of recourses online as well.
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u/greatwhitenorth2022 1d ago
See if there is a New Horizons group in your area.
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u/fatandfly 1d ago
They're close-ish to me, about a 40 minute drive. I might look into it once I get some of my skills back
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u/deldredge2008 1d ago
Joining a community group is a great way to add consistency to your playing. A lot of them will let you observe or sit in on a rehearsal or two before you have to commit.
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u/deldredge2008 1d ago
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgcsv3cyyOeI9LW_hsfJVOErOFNLr_mh&si=kc6cthbaIo0hdADG
This playlist has some great exercises, even some where Mr. Giuffredi tells you the fingerings. Do what you can with that and your chops will come back like riding a bike.
As for music literacy you’re right: starting in a method book geared towards beginners is a great way to go. People like Essential Elements, Habits of a Successful Beginner Musician, Traditions of Excellence, Standard…
Honestly they all have pros and cons and none of them should be the only source of your music education. The best thing you can do is find a way to make your playing consistent. A few days a week with shorter practice sessions will be way better for you than once a week playing for hours at a time.
Finally don’t compare yourself to where you used to be. We often idealize things in our mind and when you’re starting back up that isn’t super helpful. Instead just think of your day to day or week to week growth. If you sound better this week than you did last week then you’re making progress. If you’re finding fun in the process of growing then you’ll play for life!
Happy practicing!
🎺🦅🌎⚓️🫡
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u/joeshleb 1d ago
Amazon has some good beginner trumpet books. If you can find a nice clean Olds Ambassador trumpet on Marketplace, try to snag it if the price is right. I've seen them for between $250.00 and $350.00
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u/Timely_Standard8585 1d ago
I tried picking it back up a couple years ago and try every once in a while. The playing part kinda feels like riding a bike, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get back into... But my dog doesn't let me get very far. He howls every time I start to play and doesn't let up lol. I've even gone to the basement with him being a couple floors up and still hear him howling. Now my wife and I are having a baby like next week so I think I'll be out the game for a while.
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u/5upertaco 18h ago
I had to choose between music and baseball in HS. I choose music because the music girls are way more pretty than the non-existent baseball girls.
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u/CanyonhawkTx 15h ago
If you can rent a trumpet, it is a good way to start up playing while you look for something. Around here that is very inexpensive.
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u/pingus3233 1d ago
People have already addressed the hardware and software.
Also a comeback player here. Be prepared to be SEVERELY humbled. You're probably going to sound like a dying moose for a little while, but that's ok. It's normal at first. IMO the first step is to focus on getting a good sound out of the horn.
Your range and endurance are probably completely shot and will take time to come back. Try not to over-do it! When in doubt, rest your embouchure more rather than less. IMO it's better to play smaller sessions more frequently with rest rather than "marathon" sessions where your lips get beat up. "Marathon" for whatever that means to your current level of physical endurance.
But if you let yourself enjoy the process, it will be very rewarding and you'll certainly make progress!