Your First Week of Trumpet Care: Building Good Habits Early

Starting your journey with the trumpet is exciting—but it also comes with responsibility. Just like any precision instrument, the trumpet needs regular care to stay in top playing condition. The first week is a great time to build habits that will keep your horn clean, functional, and sounding great.

Day 1: Get to Know Your Instrument

Before you even play, take time to learn the parts of your trumpet:

• Mouthpiece
• Leadpipe
• Valves and valve casings
• Slides (main tuning slide, 1st, 2nd and 3rd valve slides)
• Bell

Understanding what each part does will help you care for it properly. If you’re unsure, ask your teacher or look up a diagram.

Day 2: Clean the Mouthpiece

Your mouthpiece is the part that touches your lips, so it should be cleaned regularly. I recommend weekly at the minimum. In your first week:

• Rinse it with dish soap and warm water (not hot).
• Use a mouthpiece brush to gently scrub the inside.
• Dry it thoroughly before placing it back in the case.

This prevents buildup and keeps your sound clear.

Day 3: Learn to Oil the Valves

Valves are the heart of your trumpet’s mechanics. If they stick or slow down, your playing suffers. Here’s how to oil them:

1. Unscrew the valve cap and carefully pull the valve out halfway.
2. Apply a few drops of valve oil to the silver part of the valve located on the bottom half of the valve.  It is unnecessary and at times bad to get oil on the felts and spring on the top half. 
3. Reinsert the valve, making sure it’s aligned correctly. The numbers on each valve or shape of the guides can be used to make sure you are returning the valves correctly.
4. Screw the cap back on.

Do this regularly, do not wait until the valves feel sluggish.  If you are not playing daily, you might want to oil the valves every time you play. This will clear away any dried up oil. If you are playing daily the consistent movement of the pistons will allow you to wait a couple days between oiling the valves. 

Day 4: Check the Slides

Slides help you tune your trumpet. They should move smoothly but not be loose. In your first week:

• Gently pull out each slide and wipe off any old grease.
• Apply a small amount of slide grease.
• Reinsert the slides and move them back and forth to distribute the grease.

This keeps your tuning adjustments easy and accurate.  Try not to leave these slide stagnant for too long.  Not moving these pieces for long periods of time can cause a tarnish build up or allow grease to dry making it so the slide might get stuck.  You do not need to put grease on every week but you do want to make sure that everything is still moving on a regular basis. 

Day 5: Wipe Down the Exterior

After each practice session, you can use a soft cloth to wipe down your trumpet. This removes fingerprints, oils, and moisture that can tarnish the finish. Pay special attention to:

• The bell
• Valve casings
• Leadpipe

This simple habit keeps your trumpet looking great and prevents corrosion.

Day 6: Store It Properly

When taking your trumpet in and out of its case always have it on a sturdy surface.  Like a table or the ground. When taking the trumpet out or putting it away make sure:

• The mouthpiece is removed and stored securely.
• The case is closed and latched properly.

Avoid leaving your trumpet in extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

Day 7: Reflect and Review

At the end of your first week, take a moment to reflect:

• Are your valves moving smoothly?
• Are your slides easy to adjust?
• Is your trumpet clean and shiny?

If anything feels off, ask your teacher or a technician for help. Early attention to small issues can prevent bigger problems later.

Final Tip: Trumpet care is part of being a musician. The better you treat your instrument, the better it will treat you. Start strong in your first week, and you’ll build habits that support your playing for years to come.

🎺 How to Play the Trumpet: A Beginner’s Guide

The trumpet is one of the most iconic and powerful instruments in the brass family. Whether you’re drawn to jazz, classical, mariachi or marching band music, learning to play the trumpet starts with mastering the basics. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to sit, how to hold your lips (embouchure), and how to properly hold the trumpet.

🪑 1. How to Sit When Playing the Trumpet

Good posture is essential for breath control and tone quality.

✅ Do:

• Sit with your back straight and not against the back of the chair.
• Keep both feet flat on the floor.
• Relax your shoulders.
• Hold your head upright, looking forward—not down at the trumpet.

❌ Don’t:

• Slouch or lean back.
• Cross your legs or hunch over the instrument.
• Tense your shoulders or neck.

🎺 2. How to Hold the Trumpet

Holding the trumpet correctly helps with control and endurance.

Left Hand:

• Wrap your left hand around the valve casing.
• Your thumb goes around the first valve casing.
• Your ring finger goes into the third valve slide ring (used for tuning).
• The rest of your fingers support the trumpet.

Right Hand:

• Place your right-hand fingers on top of the valves (index, middle, and ring).
• Your thumb rests between the first and second valve casings.
• Your pinky rests on top of the pinky hook—not inside it (to avoid tension and help arch your fingers).

Posture Check:

• Keep the trumpet at a slight downward angle, but still above or next to the stand near the top.
• Elbows should be relaxed and slightly away from your body.
• Don’t let the bell droop or point too high.

👄 3. How to Hold Your Lips (Embouchure)

Your embouchure is how you shape your lips and mouth to produce sound.

Steps to Form a Proper Embouchure:

1. Moisten your lips slightly.
2. Say “M” and freeze your lips in that position—this creates a natural, relaxed shape.
3. Firm the corners of your mouth while keeping the center relaxed.
4. Place the mouthpiece centered on your lips.  Make sure it does not shift up, down, right or left.  (using a mirror or phone camera while playing can be good) 
5. Buzz your lips by blowing air through them while keeping them firm—this is what creates the sound.

Tips:

• Don’t puff your cheeks.
• Keep your jaw relaxed.
• Use steady, controlled air.

🎶 Final Thoughts

Learning the trumpet takes patience and practice, but starting with the right technique makes all the difference. Focus on posture, embouchure, and hand position, and you’ll be well on your way to making beautiful music.

How to Choose Your First Trumpet: Expert Tips for Beginners

Maybe Start with Renting

Renting from a local music store is often the best first step. Most rental programs include rent-to-own options and sometimes offer maintenance plans, which can be invaluable during the first few months as you learn to care for your instrument.

If you want to save money, ask your local shop for a list of brands they carry—common names include Selmer, Bach, Yamaha, Jupiter, King, Blessing, and Conn. These brands are reliable, repairable, and trusted enough for stores to rent repeatedly to beginners.

Avoid Bargain Instruments

While it might be tempting to buy a $100 trumpet from Amazon, I strongly advise against it. These instruments often have poor build quality, making them difficult to play and nearly impossible to repair. Stick with reputable brands recommended by your local shop—they’ll also be able to source parts if needed.

Buying Used? Plan for Cleaning

If you decide to buy a used trumpet, budget for a professional cleaning. At my local shop, this costs about $75 for lacquer trumpets and $125 for silver trumpets. This service usually includes replacing consumable parts like corks and felts. If additional repairs are needed, consult a repair technician before purchasing.

Choosing a Mouthpiece

For beginners, the best starting sizes are:

• Bach system: 7C
• Schilke/Yamaha system: 11C4

If buying used, consider purchasing a new mouthpiece since old ones can lose their plating—and this is the part that touches your face.

You Don’t Need to Buy the Most Expensive Trumpet Right Away

There are incredible professional trumpets and mouthpieces out there, but they come with a hefty price tag. Start with a quality instrument that won’t hinder your progress, then upgrade later once you know your playing style and preferences.

Many players eventually move to professional models like the Bach 37, Yamaha Xeno, or Schilke B6, but keep in mind that as you grow, your needs will change—and the desire for new gear never really goes away!

Final Thought

Learning the trumpet is a journey. It is best to start with a solid, reliable instrument, and give yourself time to discover what kind of player you want to be. Over time, as you learn the trumpet, some of the subtle differences between trumpets start to make more sense. Armed with this knowledge, a player can choose a trumpet with unique variations that work for their desired tone or playing experience.

Why Do I Play the Trumpet? Lessons from a Lifelong Journey

Three powerful reasons that keep me playing after 33 years

Suggested Image: A close-up of a polished trumpet resting on sheet music with warm holiday lights in the background.

I often find myself asking the question: “Why do I play the trumpet?”
It’s not just something that surfaces on frustrating days—it’s a constant companion, the kind of question that comes with committing to something challenging for a very long time.

I started playing when I was 11, and to reach a professional level, I’ve practiced nearly every day for 33 years. Since I started taking the craft seriously at age 14, the trumpet has consumed roughly 15% of my life. That’s a staggering amount of time, and yet, I don’t have to look far for the answer to why.

I don’t feel like that time was wasted. In fact, I believe it was invaluable. Here are three reasons that rise to the top.

1. The Power of Community

Music is more than notes on a page—it’s a shared language. Many of my closest friendships and connections have grown out of band classes and musical projects.

Playing in a group requires creativity and vulnerability, and those qualities foster bonds that might not form otherwise. Week after week, showing up for rehearsals and performances creates a rhythm of trust and dependability. Whether you’re learning a difficult piece or contributing a single line, that act of commitment builds relationships that last a lifetime.

At its core, music satisfies a fundamental human need: connection.

2. The Discipline of Consistency

The second reason is discipline. Sitting down to practice every day isn’t just about improving on the trumpet—it’s about building a habit of consistency.

I like to think of it as the practice of percentages: improving even a fraction of a percent each day adds up over time. This approach has taught me to dream big while breaking goals into manageable steps. It’s a powerful lesson in patience and persistence, and it spills over into every other area of life.

Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it’s transformative.

3. The Gift of Self-Expression

Finally, the most profound reason: self-expression. Music gives me a way to process emotions—grief, joy, anger—in a healthy, meaningful way.

Expressing joy through music helps me hold onto it longer. Processing grief through sound transforms pain into something beautiful. This outlet has been deeply helpful and, at times, inspiring.

Music creates space for emotions to breathe, and in that space, they become art.

Closing Thoughts

So, why do I play the trumpet? For community, for discipline, and for the gift of expression. These lessons have shaped not only my musicianship but my life.

If you’ve ever wondered why you pursue your passion—whether it’s music, art, or something else—maybe the answer lies in what it teaches you beyond the craft itself.

Now Streaming: “John Simpkins and The Paid Acquaintances”

Released in June 2024, this project marks a significant chapter in my musical journey as my first solo album featuring a full band.

While my previous work often focused on a more intimate sound, “The Paid Acquaintances” brings a new level of depth and energy to these songs. Having the collaborative power of a full band allowed us to explore richer arrangements and a bigger, bolder atmosphere that I’ve wanted to capture for a long time.

I’m incredibly proud of how this record turned out, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

🎧 Stream the Full Album

Choose your favorite platform below to listen:

• Spotify: Listen to the Album
• YouTube: Watch the Official Videos

My New Album “Cowboys and Pelicans” is Out Now!

I am so excited to finally share this project with you all. It’s been a long journey getting these tracks ready, and I can’t wait for you to hear them.

You can stream the full album now on your favorite platform. Please take a listen, add your favorite tracks to your playlists, and share it with anyone who needs some new music today!

🎧 Listen on Spotify

Check out the full album here: Cowboys and Pelicans on Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube

You can also find the music (and the “Bowties and Mimosas” track) over on YouTube: Cowboys and Pelicans on YouTube