| 2335; what Manny said-and he's the pro.
I speak as someone "on your side of the fence" who "began" to play trumpet (and, incidentally to even READ MUSIC) at age 50. Listen to lots of music. All genres. Imitate or work on imitation of trumpet sounds you know. Get a lesson or two...or three....or more...I recommend your local college conservatory... so what if the kids teaching you are half your age...or less? If you can afford it you might be better with an adult instructor but honestly, they'll likely recommend you to an advanced student for the first few lessons or months anyway. (and student instructors are way cheaper!) But ONLY a student instructor recommended by a proper music or trumpet teacher please. You can learn a lot of bad habits in a hurry with the wrong teachers.
1) Get someone to show you IN PERSON a good "chop set" AND proper posture, breathing.
2) Get a nice sound in your "mind's ear"
3) Put the darn thing to your face and BLOW.
Yeah, you'll fool around, experiment with the mouthpiece (a little over... maybe up? maybe down... how about tucking the bottom lip in a hair... does this work? does that work?) You'll get to it but you have to use those two things on the sides of your head. You have to find out what works best FOR YOU.
4) Get some books... simple ones. (I first started out using the old Yamaha "Playcard" system... anybody remember them?)
5) Don't be afraid to just chuck the exercises every once in a while and try some simple tune books (Music Minus One, etc.) and play tunes that you KNOW (and that are in your range). It's good to "take a break" from rigorous technical stuff... that's how you discover what you really can and cannot do musically AND it keeps it "fun"; very important to keep the motivation level UP. (It's also a great way to self-measure your advancement).
6) Don't be afraid to ask questions. Those questions generally indicate where you are at and help others to help you when it's appropriate. No question is stupid (unless it is repeated needlessly).
7) As soon as possible get into an appropriate skill-level group. There are things that you cannot learn "playing solo". Community band, garage band, whatever you can find. They provide the motivation to push you forward. As I found, it's often EASIER to play along in a higher skill level band than in one that's too low (where timing and tuning are often VERY problematic).
8) HAVE FUN! It's a hobby, remember? A VERY serious hobby to many (not "Manny"), but a hobby nontheless. For all of those who are amateur (using the strict definition of the word) it is a hobby. In other words, music isn't necessary to pay the rent or put food on the table... just necessary to keep you sane! |