Resources for Trumpet Players

Trumpet players today have access to an unprecedented amount of content online to help improve their skills and further their musical education. The challenge, therefore, is to make sense of the immense volume of data at hand and turn it into something resembling information or - better yet - wisdom.

Here I attempt to share the resources I have relied upon over the course of my musical journey and organize them in a way that is both accessible and usable. Whenever possible this page will include resources in the public domain (i.e. free to download and use as you see fit) as well as retail links for those who wish to purchase.

As a general rule, in the United States, sheet music published in 1929 or earlier is in the public domain as of 2025. Works published in 1930 or later may still be protected by copyright. Please consult IMSLP’s explainer for more detail. Public domain laws vary by country.

Disclosure: If you make purchases through the links on this page, I receive a small commission from Amazon or Ebay at no additional cost to you.

  • 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.

    While there are too many to name, 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.

    Note: click on an artist’s name to open a link to a sample of their playing in another tab.

    Alphabetically, by last name:

  • 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, volume, 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.

    • Seb Skelly - an incredibly talented, UK-based brass player who arranges fantastic brass music, particularly quintet charts.

    • 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

    • David Hickman - the incomparable virtuoso uploaded a series of trumpet pedagogy videos on youtube for posterity. Covers a range of critical topics for players of all ages

    • 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

    • Lessons learned: how not to play the Hummel Concerto

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

    • Manha de Carnaval - Dizzy and Maurice team up for a duet

  • There are too many to list all in one place, however, here are the books 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.

  • 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.

    Note: the trumpet keys the pieces are commonly available in are noted in parentheses after the title and before the links to IMSLP/Amazon.

    Serious Young Players

    • Andante et Allegro by Ropartz (Bb/C) [IMSLP] [Amazon]

    • Petite Piece Concertante by Ballay (Bb) [IMSLP] [Amazon]

    • Aria Con Variazioni by Handel (Bb) [Amazon]

    Intermediate-Advanced Players -common audition pieces for state band/orchestra

    • Concert Etude Op. 49 by Goedicke (Bb) [Amazon]

    • Hindemeth Trumpet Sonata (Bb) [Amazon]

    • Concerto in Eb for Trumpet and String Orchestra by Neruda (Bb/Eb) [IMSLP]

    • Concert in F Minor by Böhme (Bb) [IMSLP]

    Collegiate Players and Beyond

    • Hummel Concerto in E Major (Bb/C/Eb) [IMSLP] [Amazon]

    • Haydn Concerto in Eb (Bb/C/Eb) [IMSLP] [Amazon]

    • Arutunian Concerto in Ab (Bb) [Amazon]

    • Légende by Enescu (Bb/C) [IMSLP]

    • Tomasi Trumpet Concerto (Bb/C) [Amazon]

    • Kennan Trumpet Sonata (Bb) [Amazon]

    • Intrada by Otto Ketting (Bb) [Ebay]

    • Halsey Stevens Sonata (Bb) [Ebay]

  • 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:

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

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