Chapter 1
How a trumpet turns spit and air into music
Chapter 2
A brief history of the silver scream
Chapter 3
Commanding the symphony from the back row
Chapter 4
How jazz broke the trumpet's classical mold
YOUR GOAL
Master of How the trumpet conquered the world of sound
Ch 1 · How a trumpet turns spit and air into music
maestro How a Trumpet Works
Just buzz your lips to send the pressure wave along, The shining brass will shape the air into a song.
maestro High-pressure sound waves inside the trumpet tube escape through the wide, flared bell.
maestro Warm cinematic light illuminates the three polished piston valves of a brass trumpet.
Fun Fact
Valveless bugles: Before valves were invented in 1814, military buglers could only play notes from a single natural harmonic scale.
Glossary
water key (noun)
A small valve on a brass instrument used to drain accumulated condensation from the tubing. In 1971, Raymond Amado patented a button-controlled version of this valve used on modern trumpets.
A small valve on a brass instrument used to drain accumulated condensation from the tubing. In 1971, Raymond Amado patented a button-controlled version of this valve used on modern trumpets.
Quiz
What is the name of the physics phenomenon that allows a trumpet player to play different notes with the same valve combination?
Quiz
What happens to the pitch of a trumpet when a player tightens their lips and blows faster?
Quiz
In what year was the piston valve system invented, allowing trumpets to play all chromatic notes?