A big part of learning trumpet is to listen to other players. They can be your bandmates, your teachers, folks online, and/or the greats. Here are some players whom I’ve listened to over the years and who inspire me to this day. I hope they do the same for you.

Alphabetically, by last name:

• Herb Alpert

• Maurice Andre

• Ryan Anthony

• Ole Edvard Antonsen

• Louis Armstrong

• Chet Baker

• Eric Baker

• Alison Balsom

• Esteban Batallan

• Ryan Beach

• Wayne Bergeron

• David Bilger

• Mary Bowden

• Randy Brecker

• Clifford Brown

• Miles Davis

• Timofei Dokschitzer

• Natalie Dungey

• Jon Faddis

• Art Farmer

• Maynard Ferguson

• Chuck Findley

• Tassio Furtado

• Thomas Gansch

• Dizzy Gillespie

• Håkan Hardenberger

• Tine Thing Helseth

• Adolph “Bud” Herseth

• Al Hirt

• Matthias Hoefs

• Freddie Hubbard

• Caleb Hudson

• Harry James

• Matilda Lloyd

• Chuck Mangione

• Wynton Marsalis

• Rafael Mendez

• Lee Morgan

• James Morrison

• Tim Morrison

• Sergei Nakariakov

• Selina Ott

• Oli Parker

• David Perez

• Barbara Prugh

• Adam Rappa

• Lucienne Renaudin Vary

• Brandon Ridenour

• Arturo Sandoval

• Charlie Schlueter

• Doc Severinsen

• Woody Shaw

• Susan Slaughter

• Phil Smith

• Lew Soloff

• Kayla Solomon

• Gábor Tarkövi

• Clark Terry

• John Thyshen

• Alan Vizutti

• Derek Watkins

• Jeff Work

• Ben Wright

• Snooky Young

There are many excellent trumpet players producing and posting content online these days. This is by no means an exhaustive list, however I have found their presentations to be insightful.

In no particular order:

• Mouthpiece Comparator - this site contains CAD cross sections of mouthpieces from many different manufacturers. A useful tool to understand the true differences between various makers and sizes in terms of rim contour, cup depth, diameter, and other key metrics.

• Phil Snedecor’s 2 Minute Videos - Phil is a well regarded professional player on the east coast who has done it all. His 2 minute videos are digestible and hold up on multiple viewings.

• Sam Plays Brass - trumpet player from the Pacific Northwest who posts deep dives into gear, mouthpieces, and other interesting topics. Worth a follow.

• Jon Talks Trumpet - 2nd chair player in the Charlotte Symphony who posts fun and interesting content on youtube as well as his website. Deep dives into technical topics, unique trumpet modifications, and products he’s tried.

• Charlie Porter - a Portland based player who moved out east to pursue a career in NYC, his youtube channel has a collection of useful videos on trumpet fundamentals

• Brass chats - while I don’t use monster oil, their collection of interviews with pro trumpet players over the past 10+ years is worth bookmarking

• Josh Rzepka’s youtube channel - episode 8 features interviews with 17 pro trumpet players discussing how to practice and prepare

• Tonebase - a youtube page by brass players for brass players that covers a range of fundamental topics in an accessible and easy to understand manner

• Bill Pixley - everything you need to know about playing trumpet in two short videos

• Cherokee Trumpet Soli - a classic video of Arturo, Brecker, Findley and Stripling that never ceases to amaze

There are too many to list all in one place, however, here are the ones I keep handy and find myself referring back to over the years.

They cover a range of fundamentals including effective warm ups, getting the air moving, finger dexterity, attacks/tonguing, and lyrical playing.

A good trumpet teacher will be able to help a student navigate these volumes and focus attention on critical concepts in a manner that helps build a solid foundation for future growth.

• Cichowicz Flow Studies [Amazon]

• Schlossberg Daily Drills and Technical Studies [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Stamp Warm Ups and Studies [Amazon]

• Plog Warm Up Exercises and Etudes [Amazon]

• Clarke Technical Studies [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Arban’s Complete Conservatory Method [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Shuebruk Lip Trainers [Amazon]

• Collin’s Lip Flexibilities [Amazon]

• Charlier Etudes [IMSLP] [Amazon]
  Note: Charlier #2 is a commonly used audition piece

• Melodious Etudes [Amazon]

• Snedecor Lyrical Etudes [Amazon]

In addition to method books, the advancing trumpet player must also make an effort to learn solo repertoire. This will be expected at auditions for state bands and orchestras, college music programs, and scholarships, as well as community and professional performing groups. Here are but a few:

Serious Young Players

• Andante et Allegro by Ropartz [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Petite Piece Concertante by Ballay [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Aria Con Variazioni by Handel [Amazon]

Intermediate-Advanced Players - common audition pieces for states

• Concert Etude Op. 49 by Goedicke [Amazon]

• Concerto in Eb by Neruda [IMSLP]

Collegiate Players and Beyond

• Hummel Concerto [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Haydn Concerto [IMSLP] [Amazon]

• Arutunian Concerto [Amazon]

• Légende by Enescu [IMSLP]

Familiarity with various orchestral solo excerpts is also highly encouraged, necessary even at a certain point. While many of these are available in the public domain, Phil Norris’ book is an invaluable reference and includes helpful preparation notes.

• Top 50 Orchestral Audition Excerpts [Amazon]

Any local music shop worth its salt should be able to help with cleanings plus minor dents and repairs.

For bigger jobs such as restorations, re-lacquering, customizations, and valve rebuilds, you’ll want to reach out to one or more of the highly regarded trumpet technicians below.

Listed Alphabetically by State:

• Charlie Melk (Griffin, GA)

• Rich Ita (Marietta, GA)

• Dana Hofer (Des Plaines, IL)

• Dr. Valve/Steve Winans (Lemont, IL)

• Mark Metzler (Elkhart, IN)

• Anderson’s Silver Plating (Elkhart, IN)

• Osmun/Jim Becker (Acton, MA)

• J. Landress Brass (NY, NY)

• Dan Oberloh (Seattle, WA)

I have not worked with these technicians myself, however their reputations precede them.