Cornet/Trumpet
My Knowledge of the Instruments
My History
How It All Began
I learnt to play trombone in the school brass band at about the age of 10. I wanted to play the cornet but was told that “believe it or not” I had big lips and long arms, so if I wanted to have lessons it would have to be on trombone!
All of that said, I also learnt euphonium (another valved instrument), and when I was asked if I could teach the trumpet when teaching privately after leaving the army, my thoughts were – “I can read the music, know the valves, and have an embouchure for a bigger brass mouthpiece (trombone), so why not give it a go.
That was back in 2005 and since then I have had a number of students learning the instrument with me (adults as well as children), and although I will never be an on-stage performer with the instrument, I have gotten people through their Grade 5 exams with no issues.
Lessons
What is involved
As with all of the woodwind instruments I teach, I use a series of books called “Look, Listen & Learn Method for Cornet/Trumpet” by Jacob de Haan (published by DeHaske). These books are a guide from absolute beginner through to about Grade 5-6 standard and have fantastic backing tracks that make the playing of the instrument with accompaniment, fun! They also help to teach the basics of improvisation and allow the student to develop their skills, something that I have not seen elsewhere in study books.
The lessons are focused on notation reading, improvisation, good technique, as well as the basics of improvisation.
Exams are taken using either ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) or Trinity College, whichever is preferred.
