The trumpet is known for its strong metallic sound. Although there are three different valves on a trumpet, much of its sound is attributed to lip tension. Playing the trumpet correctly requires strong, disciplined lips. Lip vibrations may seem very complicated at first, but once mastered, they become second nature.
To play the trumpet, you must purse your lips in a manner very similar to a puckered kiss. Press your lips against the mouthpiece of the trumpet and “smile” slightly. If you blow, creating a buzzing, buzzing sound with your lips, the pressure of the air in your mouth will cause your lips to open slightly. The air flowing through the trumpet produces a sound. The higher the lip tension, the higher the frequency and tone it will produce. Moving your lips up and down while blowing the trumpet will also create various harmonious notes.
When practicing the trumpet, or any brass instrument, the player should begin by working with some scales. This will help strengthen the players’ lips and will also help to memorize the fingers. Next, the player must move their lips up and down to work on strength. Trying to play with the sides of the lips can also help strengthen them. Once a player has strong lips, he can mix various lip positions together with various valve combinations to create beautiful music. These combinations together are key to the traditional sound of the trumpet.
Some songs can be played without even changing any valve combinations, or without using any valves. For example, “TAPS”, which is often played at military funerals or on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, can be played without having to press a single valve. The entire song is played in the “open” position.
Likewise, almost all other songs or notes that are played are made with at least some valves pressed. Changing from one note to another is done simply by moving your lips and pressing various valve combinations. Each individual note has its own default combination of valves and lip position. In addition to producing different notes, a player’s lips and breath can also be used to play louder or softer notes. These crescendos and decrescendos are a vital part of orchestral pieces and marching bands. Similarly, if a player rolls their tongue while playing, a unique sound is produced.
There are many things it takes to be a good trumpet player. Practice is just one of those. Talent is another. Learning the complexities of playing a musical instrument, any musical instrument, but in this case the trumpet, is something that requires time, patience, work and heart. But perhaps even more so, to produce a full sound of a trumpet, strong lips are a must.