Let me introduce you: The TRUMPET!
In this chapter, I will give you a brief introduction to the trumpet.
I will explain its structure, so the different parts it consists of and their purpose.
Then I will explain how a trumpet works and finally give you a few tips on how to care for your instrument.
Afterward, you can test your knowledge in a short quiz.
Inhalt
Quelle: YouTube
Matthias Gleich
Lizenz: CC-BY-SA-4.0
- Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece is maybe the most important part. The vibration of your lips in the cup of the Mouthpiece starts the tone. The rest of the trumpet resonates with this vibration.
- Valves
The valves change the way of the air through the trumpet which affect the pitch. If you press one of them, the airstream flows through the belonging slide, not directly to the bell. So the pipe where the air flows is getting longer - the longer the pipe, the deeper the tone gets.
- Slides
Each Slide belongs to a certain Valve. The first slide (belonging to the first valve) makes the trumpet one whole tone deeper. The second a half tone. The third one and a half tones
- Water Key
... to remove the condensed water in the trumpet
- Main Slide/Tuning slide
This one is important, if you play with other Instruments. By pulling it out or pushing it in, you can change the pitch slightly to get the same tuning as other instruments
- Finger Hook
Put your fifth finger in it and/or place it on top—whichever feels best for you. IMPORTANT: this is not a holding hook! Only your left hand holds the trumpet, and your right hand only presses the valves.
- Bell
Like the body of a guitar, the bell acts as an amplifier for the sound. This is what creates the bright, characteristic sound of the trumpet.
Quelle: YouTube
Summary:
Taking care of your instrument will ensure that your trumpet has a long life. Here is an overview of the most important aspects:
- Storage
Always store the trumpet in its case if possible, and if not, at least make sure that the valves are protected—vibrations on the valve housing can damage the valves, which can then only be repaired at great expense.
Never lay the trumpet on its mouthpiece side, but always on the bell and bell curve. Otherwise, the valve itself could be damaged if it is laid down roughly on the tuning slide of the 2nd valve.
- Care
Oil the valves regularly. This ensures that the valves function better and are protected against corrosion and limescale deposits.
A little grease on the tuning slides prevents them from becoming stuck over time.
Over time, dirt and deposits accumulate in the instrument, which are unhealthy and can clog the instrument. It is therefore advisable to soak the instrument and mouthpiece in soapy water or vinegar water from time to time and then rinse them thoroughly. Please remove the slides and valves beforehand so that the water can reach all areas.
- Mouthpiece
Be careful with your mouthpiece. If it gets knocked or is inserted too tightly into the shaft or twisted, it may be impossible to remove. In this case, you can try using a lighter or hair dryer to widen the shaft and gently force the mouthpiece out. Be careful—the solder joints on the instrument cannot withstand too much force.