BRASS LESSONS in ALBURY

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Learning brass

A brass instrument is an excellent choice for a young musician. Only seven combinations of three valves are needed for all the notes, making it easy to remember the finger patterns. The sound is made by breathing a narrow column of air through the instrument, causing the player's lips to vibrate. In most cases students can create a clear sound within a few days.

Younger children beginning brass lessons often learn on a Bb cornet which is easier to hold for small hands. The breathing technique and finger patterns are the same for other three-valve instruments so it is easy to change to a larger types such as trumpet or baritone horn as the child grows. Cornet lessons can begin at about age eight. Larger instruments can be started as soon as the child is strong enough to hold them safely.

The trombone uses a slide to change the length of the instrument as you play. This is a large instrument and normally a child will need to be around ten or eleven years old to hold it comfortably. It is common for trombonists to begin on cornet then switch after a few years of playing. This intital training with a valve instrument gives them the option of playing euphonium at a later stage. Trombone slide positions are not difficult to understand as long as the student has a well developed sense of pitch. Good singers generally make good brass players.

Teaching books

There are many beginner books available to help you learn the finger patterns, rhythms and general musicianship of playing brass. These often include a play-along CD which makes performing at home more fun - Abracadabra Brass is a good example. However, a relaxed breathing technique and an understanding of how your lips and tongue are used to create a clear, rich sound are vitally important. We recommend Mystery to Mastery by Australian trumpeter Greg Spence. His teaching book, eBook version and video demonstrations are excellent. Greg's site also includes free videos for beginners. Please explore this important trumpet teaching resource.

Beginner tips

When warming up, play long notes for at least 10 seconds - use a metronome or kitchen clock with a second hand - then rest for 10 seconds. Do this on a range of middle, high and low notes for about three minutes.

Please don't write the valve numbers under every note, but only under the first occurrence of a particular pitch in each piece. eg write 13 under the first low D in a piece, but not under any other D notes. This will help you to memorize the finger patterns. Don't write the letter names of the notes at all. Play Name That Note until you can score at least 250 points. By then you will know your note names easily!

Take a vacuum cleaner breath, quickly inhaling as much air as you can without raising your shoulders. You don't need to blow very hard to play the trumpet. Rather, you create a very small aperture between your lips and just let the air escape with the natural pressure in your lungs. Try this using the lead pipe only until you can make a strong sound with little effort.

Keep your cheek muscles firm so the energy from the air flow is directed into the instrument, not wasted in puffing up your face. Try for cute dimples in your cheeks, not the bullfrog look!

Playing brass should never take more effort than singing. Watch the great New Zealand cornet soloist Trevor Bremner. Note the gentle way he holds the instrument, the huge breaths and the lack of muscle stress even when playing very soft high notes.

Your brass instrument

Brass students have the distinct advantage of lower price instruments compared to most other types. For under $1,000 you can buy a student cornet, trumpet or trombone that is perfectly adequate for several years of lessons. When the student finally needs a better instrument then even top-flight professional models are less than $4,000. If the student wants to try the larger models such as baritone horn or euphonium then the prices are about double.

The largest supplier of brass instruments in Melbourne is Melbourne Brass & Woodwind in Ormond. They have an extensive range to browse and expert staff to demonstrate the different types and models. They sell both new and second hand instruments with excellent service backup. If the student is able to hold a trumpet comfortably then these are available at a very attractive rental rate.

Wrights Music in North Fitzroy is another respected supplier of brass instruments in Melbourne, stocking a good range of choices in cluding the popular Norton student cornets.

The rental company Studio 19 can supply trumpets and trombones for under $40 per month on rent-to-buy plans. This is a very cost effective way to enter the world of brass playing.

Albury's local music store Custom Music stocks the budget lines of Aston and Jupiter instruments and a selection from Yamaha. If you know what you want then shopping locally is certainly an option.

Many schools have brass instruments available for rental. Using the instrument for private lessons is usually not a problem so long as the student supports the school's own music program and attends band rehearsals regularly.

Accessories

Even if you are using a school or rented instrument there are some items you should own personally to get the best from your brass playing.

Lubrication - We recommend Al Cass - Fast valve oil for trumpets and Slide-O-Mix for trombones. Use slide grease on the tuning slides so that they don't seize up.
Cleaning Kit - An instrument with tubing full of gunk will sound poorly and is unhygenic. Keep the inside as shiny as the outside. The well known Herco kits include everything you need to clean your instrument and keep it in top condition. The trombone kits include slide oil as an alternative to the traditional slide cream or Slide-O-Mix lubricants.
Practice Mute - More advanced players should have a variety of performance mutes, but a practice mute is also important. We recommend the Ssshhh Mute. This allows you to perform at full volume any time of day or night without disturbing others. More importantly it reduces the sound level so much that you have to breath correctly or you will not be able to hear yourself at all.

Start today!

Playing music for yourself, family or friends is one of life's most rewarding experiences. Music tuition is an investment in your family's future. Fees are $240 including GST for eight half hour lessons, payable in advance for each NSW school term. Contact us today on 0439 430 536 to book your first lesson.