Better Trumpet Playing Starts Before You Play a Note
Teacher: You just got a new trumpet, fantastic!
Student: I know I’m excited to play it. How do I play it?
Teacher: Well, it starts with posture.
Student: ...what?
Posture
Posture is how we hold ourselves. When you sit in a chair, start with your feet flat on the floor, about shoulder-width apart. Keep your chest comfortably up and your shoulders relaxed. When we hold the trumpet, our arms should be slightly apart, creating a mountain shape.
The picture on the top is good posture, the picture on the bottom is bad posture.
Notice what changes physically from the bad posture to the good posture. The good posture allows the player to look and feel more relaxed and in control. When your body is positioned well, you're giving yourself a better starting point for producing a comfortable, consistent sound.
Teacher: Now do you see what posture is?
Student: Yes! Am I ready to play trumpet now?
Teacher: Almost. There’s one more thing you need to start…
Student: The trumpet?
Teacher: Well, yes, but something else…
Student: ...music?
Teacher: Nope! You need to breathe.
Student: But I already do that…
Teacher: Let me explain.
Good Posture
Bad Posture
Breathing
There is a particular way we breath to play the trumpet. Would you believe most trumpet players don’t practice breathing? We can’t expect the trumpet to sound the best if we don’t breathe to play.
We want a full, comfortable breath—not the biggest possible breath.
Student: Wait, hold up. Why not 100%?
Teacher: Try taking the biggest breath you possibly can. Then say, "Hello teacher, how are you doing today?"
Student: takes giant breath "Hello teacher, how are you doing today?" Wow... that felt really uncomfortable.
Teacher: Exactly! Taking the biggest breath possible isn't necessarily the best breath for playing. We want a full, comfortable breath that allows us to stay relaxed and in control of the air. That’s what the diaphragm helps with.
Student: A dia-who?
The diaphragm is a large muscle underneath your lungs. When you inhale, it contracts and moves downward, helping your lungs expand and draw air in. When you exhale, it relaxes and moves back upward.
Combine good posture with the 90% breath and you’re on your way to creating a great sound.
Put it Together
Teacher: Okay, you've got your posture. You've taken a comfortable breath. What comes next?
Student: Finally! I get to play!
Teacher: Exactly. Put the trumpet to your face and play one comfortable note.
Student: plays
Teacher: Now try it again—but this time, let your body collapse before you play.
Student: plays
Teacher: Which one felt easier?
Student: The first one.
Teacher: That's the point. Good trumpet playing starts before you even play the note.
Posture and breathing are not two tricks, they work together. Good posture allows the body to have a proper physical foundation, while comfortable breathing gives you the air you need to play. When the two work together, playing can become easier and more consistent.
Try This
Sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor.
Let your shoulders relax
Bring your chest comfortably up
Hold your trumpet with your arms slightly apart
Take a full, comfortable breath
Play one comfortable note
Notice how your body feels
Now repeat the exercise while intentionally collapsing your posture.
Which one feels easier?
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