4th Grade Band Trumpets Don‛t forget to practice your “Musical Alphabet” forwards and backwards: “A B C D E F G...G F E D C B A”! In thinking about Thanksgiving this week, we listened to a recording of “Variations on a Shaker Theme” by Aaron Copland. The song it is based on is called “Simple Gifts” and is a great Thanksgiving theme. The group playing is the Dallas Wind Symphony. Check it out by clicking here. Here are some things to remember when playing the trumpet: ● Make sure to warm-up with some breathing and buzzing exercises on your mouthpiece. ● Don‛t use the mouthpiece as a straw to breath in through. Breath in through the corners of your mouth. ● Use your tongue to start each note, like saying the word “Tah”. Your tongue should touch the roof of your mouth at the start of the note, then move down to allow air to go through the rest of the note.
● Note reminders: ○ C - no valves ○ D - first and third vavles ○ E - first and second valves ○ F - first valve ○ G - no valves (“fast” buzz)
“Jingle Bells”
E E E- E E E- E G C D E-- F F F F F E E- E D D E D- G- E E E- E E E- E G C D E-- F F F F F E E- G G F D C---