Learning objectives - Trumpet

The curriculum for trumpet also applies to the cornet and flugelhorn as these instruments are closely related and use the same teaching materials. For simplicity and convenience, the curriculum is referred to as 'trumpet', often mentioning only this instrument instead of listing all three.

More about learning the trumpet

Level 1

Range: g – c”

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 60, scales played in quarter notes
Scales

(Choose two parts

out of four)

C major, G major, A minor, chromatic

(type of minor scale is optional)

Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic C'-G' (optional)

Works and exercises

Piece Love Me Tender, page 30 in Trompetleikur 1 (Trumpet Playing 1)

(or a similar piece)
Practice Another song from the book:

Would You Stay Awake with Me, page 36 in Trompetleikur 1 (Trumpet Playing 1),

On Sprengisandur, page 36 in Trompetleikur 1 (Trumpet Playing 1)

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody
  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement
  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 8 bars

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Trompetleikur 1 by Björgvin Þ. Valdimarsson
  • Trompetten och jag 1 (The Trumpet and Me 1)
  • Kul med trompet 1
  • Midt i blinken 1 (Right on Beat 1)
  • Blåsbus 1 (Wind Instruments 1)
  • Spill 1 (Play 1)

Level 2

Range: g – d”

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 80, scales played in quarter notes
Scales

C major, G major, B-flat major, A minor, D minor, Chromatic

(type of minor scale is optional)

Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic C'-G', C'-C''

Works and exercises

Piece March from the Nutcracker, Trompetleikur 1 (Trumpet Playing 1)

Gutti's Verses, Trompetleikur 2 (Trumpet Playing 2)

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercise VIII, page 38 Trompetleikur 1 (Trumpet Playing 1)

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    (Criteria: 12 bar blues, 1x melody line (e.g., original), 1x solo)

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    (Length should be about 12 – 16 bars, range wider than a fifth)

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear

    Length should be about 8 bars

Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Trompetleikur 1-2 (Trumpet Playing 1-2) by Björgvin Þ. Valdimarsson
  • Trompetten och jag 1-2 (The Trumpet and Me 1-2)
  • Kul med trompet 1-2 (Fun with the Trumpet 1-2)
  • Midt i blinken 1-2 (Right on Beat 1-2)
  • Blåsbus 1-2 (Wind Instruments 1-2)
  • Spill 1-2 (Play 1-2)

Level 3

Range: g – e”

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One octave
Tempo M.M = 50, scales played in eighth notes
Scales

C major, G major, B-flat major, D major, A minor, D minor, B minor, G minor (melodic), Chromatic

Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic c’ – c”, c’ – e”

Works and exercises

Piece Tumi Gets Up, Trompetleikar 2 (Trumpet Players 2)

The May Star, Trompetleikar (Trumpet Players)

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercise No. 5 from Supplementary Studies by Endresen

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    (Criteria: 16 bars)

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    (Length should be about 16 bars, range about an octave.)

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear
Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Trompetleikur 2 by Björgvin Þ. Valdimarsson
  • Trompetten och jag 2 (The Trumpet and Me 1)
  • Kul med trompet 2
  • Midt i blinken 2 (Right on Beat 1)
  • Blåsbus 2 (Wind Instruments 1)
  • Spill 2 (Play 1)
  • Elementary Studies by Clarke
  • Supplementary Studies by R . M. Endersen

Level 4

Range: g – f”

Basic exam

All scales in one file

Scales

Range One or two octaves, within the range
Tempo M.M = 60, scales played in eighth notes
Scales

C major, G major, B-flat major, D major, F major, A minor, D minor, B minor, G minor, E minor (melodic), Chromatic

Triads In all the above keys
Chromatic c’ – e”, bes – f”

Works and exercises

Piece Hungarian Rhapsody or American Patrol

James Hook Sonata 1 (1st or 2nd movement)

(or a similar piece)
Practice Exercises No. 7-11 from 40 Progressive Studies by Hering

(or another similar exercise)
Option
  1. Improvise from a given start, chord sequence, or melody

    (Criteria: )

  2. Play an original piece or own arrangement

    (The length should be )

  3. Play a short folk song or national song by ear
Sight reading Play a song from music you've not seen before
Study material
  • Trompetleikur 2 by Björgvin Þ. Valdimarsson
  • Trompetten och jag 2-3 (The Trumpet and Me 1-2)
  • Midt i blinken 2-3 (Right on Beat 1-2)
  • 40 Progressive Studies by Sigmund Hering
  • Supplementary Studies by R . M. Endersen