Mastering the Mental Side of Trumpet Playing: How Mindset Shapes Your Music:

Ever wondered why some trumpet players seem calm and confident—even when tackling the hardest passages? It’s not just talent or technique. The secret lies in their mindset. Playing trumpet is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and understanding this can transform your practice and performance.

Perfection Isn’t the Goal

One of the most important truths to remember: you don’t need to be perfect all the time. Art demands humility, and that’s tough for anyone striving for excellence.  I would argue the concept of perfect art is unachievable and quite often some of the best art is created when trying to correct the human error that inevitably appears when art is being made. 

The unique physical hurdles of the trumpet especially early on make it so a player should not avoid mistakes and error but instead learn to roll with them and make adjustments as quickly as possible. The mouthpiece has a tiny aperture, and your lips are soft tissue, not muscle. They break down and rebuild often. The muscles around your lips aren’t used much in daily life, so it’s normal to feel like you’re starting over sometimes. Accepting this as part of the process helps you move past frustration. With time and persistence, you’ll adapt and build the tools to overcome these basic challenges.  Because all players are developing new muscle groups, no one sounds good at the trumpet early on and a new player has to be okay with not sounding good at first.  It is most important to just take the trumpet out and make noise as much as possible.

Managing Your Thoughts While Playing

Quite often what makes great players stand apart is their ability to take those small mistakes and turn them into something beautiful. It is in those moments of vulnerability that true art is created. I believe Bob Ross when painting would call them happy accidents. 

Trumpet playing isn’t just about physical task completion—it’s about mental control. You’re coordinating lips, tongue, lungs, eyes, fingers, and posture all at once. Carrying all these thoughts and details with precision and accuracy is no small feat.

Your inner dialogue matters. The physical demands are hard enough without adding the stress of performing for others. Since performing is often the goal, learning to keep a clear head and move on from inevitable mistakes is crucial. On trumpet, mistakes can snowball quickly if you let them. The stress from blowing air under pressure, added to the fact that each note is relative to the last and you’ve got a real challenge!

Quick Tips for Mental Focus:

• Trust your preparation. When it’s time to play, let go of overthinking.
• Breathe full breaths with intention. A calm breath resets both body and mind.
• Detach from mistakes. They happen—don’t let them define the rest of your performance. Make adjustments and if needed pick a point to pick back up at as quick as you can. 

Isolate the Problem, Don’t Own It

Here’s a key mental shift: avoid saying, “I can’t do it.” Instead, say, “I’m not doing it yet.” That small change keeps the door open for progress.

When something isn’t working, break it down. Isolate the issue and tackle it piece by piece. Looking at the entire challenge can feel overwhelming, but fixing small problems systematically builds confidence and skill. This approach turns frustration into progress—and prepares you for the next hurdle.

Final Thought

Anything worthwhile takes work. Be patient—and most importantly, be kind to yourself. Every note, every practice session, is a step forward.

Bailey Elora’s new single, “Dead in the Dirt” Featuring John SImpkins

Go listen and save it to your playlist!!!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4u6sUA6W2GSz0TNapiNd1w…

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/…/dead-in-the-dirt…/1894980057

Cover Art Photo: John McSweeney

Cover Art Treatment: Bailey Elora

The Complete Breath: A Trumpet Player’s Hidden Power

Even though breathing is essential to life, many of us rarely think about how we breathe. I invite you to sit with me for a moment and explore the concept of the complete breath—a powerful idea that’s rarely taught but incredibly useful, both in life and in trumpet playing.

Modern life doesn’t encourage us to use our lungs to their full capacity. Stress, posture, and habits have led many of us to take shallow breaths. This isn’t just bad for our health—it’s especially detrimental for trumpet players. When starting out on the trumpet, it’s important to become more aware of your breathing. Learning to breathe deeper and with more control can improve your overall well-being and significantly enhance your playing.

The Challenge of Big Breaths

Many trumpet players—beginners and veterans alike—struggle with breath. A deep breath can feel uncomfortable, even overwhelming. It can hijack your focus, making it hard to concentrate on the music. If your body is in survival mode, how can you focus on pitch accuracy or musical phrasing?

That’s why learning to manage the discomfort of larger breaths—and gradually expanding your breath capacity—is crucial. It’s the key to unlocking the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of trumpet playing.

Finding Balance: Avoiding Overblowing

To play devil’s advocate with myself, I also believe many trumpet players are taught to overblow. Breath control isn’t just about taking in more air—it’s about taking in the right amount of air for the music at hand. This balance takes time to develop.

I often encourage my students to treat their breath like a musical note. Plan your breaths before you play. Decide how long and how deep each breath should be at specific points in the piece. Without this planning, air control becomes a limiting factor—and sometimes, it’s physically impossible to play the music without the right amount of air.

On the flip side, taking in too much air can also be a problem. It can lead to wasted time releasing excess air, poor timing, and frustration—especially when trying to rejoin the ensemble after a breath. But having leftover air at the end of a phrase doesn’t always mean you’ve taken in too much air. It might mean your embouchure needs to open up more to allow better airflow. This is where having a teacher or other trumpet player to listen to you play is indispensable.  Playing the trumpet takes up so much mental energy while we are doing it, it is quite difficult to pick up on these finer details on our own.   

Breathing Beyond the Trumpet

It’s important to practice breathing separately from the trumpet. Playing involves juggling many thoughts and physical actions, so isolating breathwork can be a powerful part of your routine.

Understanding how your body and mind work together is vital for mastering a physically demanding instrument like the trumpet. While our lungs are in our chest, I’ve found it helpful to imagine breathing toward the core. This visualization helps me:

1. Create space for lung expansion by moving my stomach in and out.
2. Engage core muscles to generate and control air pressure.
3. Stay relaxed, avoiding the trapped feeling that chest breathing or tight shoulders can cause.

One technique I often recommend for practicing breath control is box breathing.. It’s a simple but powerful method used by athletes,  and performers to calm the nervous system and improve focus. The pattern is easy to remember:

• Inhale for 4 counts
• Hold for 4 counts
• Exhale for 4 counts
• Hold again for 4 counts

Repeat this cycle several times. Box breathing helps train your body to take in air more efficiently and stay calm under pressure—skills that are incredibly useful when performing music, especially on a demanding instrument like the trumpet.

Using your abdominal muscles helps create balanced resistance and compression—essential for consistent, powerful trumpet playing.  Sadly we do not have an unlimited amount of time to play trumpet in life. By training yourself to breathe this way separate from the trumpet you can develop the skill in other moments in life in a way that could even have other benefits in life. 

Conclusion: Breath as a Foundation for Musical Expression

Breathing may seem automatic, but for trumpet players, it’s a skill that deserves conscious attention and regular practice. Developing a complete breath—one that is deep, controlled, and balanced—can transform not only your playing but your overall physical and mental well-being. By learning to manage discomfort, avoid overblowing, and treat breath as an integral part of the music, players can unlock greater control, endurance, and expressiveness. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your technique, remember: your breath is not just fuel—it’s part of the music itself.

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