trumpethack

I teach a lot of beginners. While the general answer has always been "G" or "C", I have found that this is very limiting. I usually start of a beginner blowing on just the leadpipe as this is the easiest "thing" to make a sound on related to the trumpet (ie. it's easier than the whole trumpet and it's easier than the mp alone). That being said, the note that is closest to that pitch for most beginners is an E... so that's where I start them. Just have them try to blow the same for the LP and the E. I've found this to work quite well. Why limit yourself to G or C... There's no reason I see why it's mandatory that a beginner start playing on the "open" horn. I have seen no negative value of doing it the way I described, and have actually had better results this way, as I used to do the "G" or "C" only approach. The main point being don't lock into one way of doing it, work with what the kid can do naturally.
-Matt