Trumpet Methods & Studies

There are probably hundreds of books that address the many aspects of trumpet playing. Below are what I consider to be the best. The “core” books are in bolder type. 

Method books categorized by Primary Training Focus, then listed by author.

Comprehensive Methods

  • Arban: Complete Conservatory Method (“The Bible”) – Arban addresses almost every aspect of playing, and includes technical etudes and solos
  • Anthony Plog: Method for Trumpet, Books 1-6 (also excellent)
  • Saint-Jacome: Grand Method, Books 1 & 2
  • Allen Vizzutti: Method (multiple books)
  • Ernest Williams: Modern Method for Cornet and Trumpet

Embouchure

  • Charlie Porter: YouTube videos. Charlie has posted several excellent videos focusing on embouchure formation, as well as other aspects of playing, and also teaches private lessons over Zoom)
  • Philip Farkas: The Art of Brass Playing (also Tonguing and Breathing)

Breathing

  • James Stamp: Warm-ups+Studies
  • Rolf Quinque: ASA Method
  • Ramacharaka Yogi: The Science of Breath (text book)
  • Nancy Zi: The Art of Breathing (text book)
  • Philip Smith: Total Breathing (text book)
  • Loehr and Migdow: Take a Deep Breath (text book)
  • Frederiksen: Arnold Jacobs: Song and Wind (text book, but includes a biography of Jacobs)

Long Tones and Pedal Tones

  • Earl D. Irons: Twenty-Seven Groups of Exercises, pp.5-6, Southern Music, 1938
  • Anthony Plog: Trumpet Method, Book 1
  • Max Schlossberg: Daily Drills and Technical Studies for Trumpet
  • James Stamp: Warm-ups+Studies, pp. 5-6, 11-18, Editions BIM, 1981
  • Allen Vizzutti: Trumpet Method, Book 1, pp. 7-14, Alfred Publishing

Finger Technique

  • Herbert L. Clarke: Technical Studies, Carl Fisher, 1912
  • John McNeil: Jazz Trumpet Technique (all the hardest combinations in the shortest form)
  • Robert Nagel: Speed Studies (for Trumpet, Horn, or Clarinet)
  • Anthony Plog: Trumpet Method, Books 2 and 3
  • Allen Vizzutti: Trumpet Method, Book 1, pp. 32-77, Alfred Publishing

Tonguing (single, double, triple, doodle)

Arban: Complete Conservatory Method

  • Edwin Franko Goldman: Practical Studies
  • Earl D. Irons: Twenty-Seven Groups of Exercises, (Part II), Southern Music, 1938
  • John McNeil: Jazz Trumpet Technique (includes doodle tonguing)
  • Anthony Plog: Method for Trumpet, Book 4
  • Allen Vizzutti: Trumpet Method, Book 1, pp. 78-119, Alfred Publishing

You can also tongue the fingering technical studies (see above). 

Flexibility Exercises

  • Charles Colin: Advanced Lip Flexibilities, Charles Colin, 1972
  • Earl D. Irons: Twenty-Seven Groups of Exercises, pp. 1-21, Southern Music, 1938
  • Anthony Plog: Method for Trumpet, Book 5
  • Rolf Quinque: ASA Method
  • James Stamp: Warm-ups +Studies, pp. 19-20, Editions BIM, 1981
  • Alan Vizzutti, Trumpet Method, Book 1, pp. 15-31, Alfred Publishing

Range Extension

  • Claude Gordon: Systematic Approach to Daily Practice for Trumpet
  • Charles Peters: Total Range
  • Anthony Plog: Method for Trumpet, Book 6
  • Walter M. Smith: Top Tones for the Trumpeter 
  • James Stamp: Warm-ups + Studies, pp. 7,12,15-17, Editions BIM, 1981
  • Alan Vizzutti, Trumpet Method, Book 1, pp. 120-128, Alfred Publishing

Melodic and Characteristic Etudes

  • Marcel Bitsch: Vingt Études (20 Studies)
  • Alfred Blatter and Paul Zonn (ed. David Hickman): Contemporary Trumpet Studies
  • Marco Bordogni: 24 Vocalises
  • Bousquet: 36 Celebrated Studies
  • Vassily Brandt: Etudes for Trumpet (combines Orchestral Etudes and Last Etudes)
  • Reginaldo Caffarelli: 100 Melodic Studies
  • Theo Charlier: Transcendental Etudes
  • A. Chavanne: Vingt-cinq Études Caractéristiques (25 Characteristic Studies)
  • Charles Chaynes: Quinze Études (15 Studies)
  • Herbert L. Clarke: Characteristic Studies
  • Charles Colin: Develop Sight Reading
  • P.M. Dubois: 12 Various Etudes
  • Michael Gisondi: Bach for the Trumpet
  • Edwin Franko Goldman: Practical Studies
  • Paudert: 24 Modern Virtuoso Studies
  • Anthony Plog: Sixteen Contemporary Etudes for Trumpet
  • Joannes Rochut: Melodious Etudes for Trombone (must be transposed up 1 octave from bass clef)
  • Ernst Sachse: 100 Etudes for Trumpet
  • John R. Shoemaker: Legato Etudes for Trumpet (based on the Vocalises of Giuseppe Concone)
  • Walter M. Smith: Top Tones for the Trumpeter, 30 Modern Etudes

Transposition

Many songs and exercises can be used as transposition studies, but a few are dedicated to it:

  • Marco Bordogni: Vingt-Quatre Vocalises (24 Songs)
  • Reginaldo Caffarelli: 100 Melodic Studies in Transposition
  • Joannes Rochut: Melodious Etudes for Trombone (in bass clef – good for transposition)

Other

  • David Boe, How to Improve Your Chops Without Playing a Note, 2016