Trumpet

Trumpet: Producing Sound

To produce sound on a trumpet, the player makes a buzzing sound by blowing through closed lips. The embouchure can be formed by saying the letters E - M - P. The vibrations from the mouthpiece pass through the horn and out of the bell. The player changes the pitch of the sound by pressing the three valves in various combinations, in effect changing the length of the tubing the air flows through. Pitch on the trumpet is also changed by increasing and decreasing the intensity of the air stream from the player's embouchure.

Care and Maintenance

Before you play:

• Oil your valves. Unscrew the cap on the 1st valve, pull the piston out halfway, and put a few drops of valve oil on the wide part of the piston. Lower the piston back into place and turn it until you hear a click, and the piston won't turn further; then screw the cap back on. Follow the same procedure with the 2nd and 3rd valves.
• Place the mouthpiece into the mouthpiece receiver and gently twist it in.
• If your mouthpiece becomes stuck, don't use force or tools to try to get it out, as your trumpet is made of soft brass and can be damaged easily. Amro, and maybe your band director, have a special tool to get stuck mouthpieces out quickly and easily without damaging your trumpet.

After you play:

• Hold each water key open and blow the moisture out of your trumpet.
• Remove the mouthpiece and put it in its special compartment in the case.
• Wipe the fingerprints off your trumpet with your trumpet polish cloth.
• Put your trumpet in its case and fasten the latches.
• Check for loose items in your case that could bounce into your trumpet and dent or scratch it. 

Periodically:

• Clean your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush, dish soap, and warm water.
• Thoroughly clean your trumpet's finish with your trumpet polish cloth.
• Apply grease to the slides. Pull them out one at a time, wipe them clean with a soft cloth, rub a small amount of slide grease on them, and carefully insert them back into your trumpet.
• Every few months, wash out the insides of your trumpet to keep it sanitary and working smoothly. 
• Disassemble your trumpet in a large sink or bathtub of warm water and mild dish soap.
• Be very careful with the disassembled parts as the slightest dent will prevent them from fitting back in your trumpet and moving correctly. A soft towel on the counter and at the bottom of the sink or tub will cushion any falls.
• Use your valve and tube brushes to gently scrub the insides of your trumpet. 
• Rinse thoroughly and dry off the parts.
• Apply a small amount of grease to the slides and put them back into your trumpet. 
• The valve pistons are numbered and must be in the right casings for the trumpet to play; the valve closest to you when you play is #1. 
• Apply a few drops of valve oil to each piston, turn it in its casing until you hear the valve guide click into place, and then screw down the valve cap.
• Test play your trumpet; if some of the notes won't play, either the pistons are in the wrong casings or the valve guides didn't click into place.
• Bring your trumpet to the Amro repair shop at least once a year and any time you feel it's not playing its best.  We'll inspect and test it free of charge, usually while you wait. And if you have Amro’s maintenance & replacement plan, any adjustments and repair it needs are free.