Hello people, my name is Alan and i´m from Argentina. I´ve been playing trumpet by myself for 1 year, and with a teacher for 2 month (when i discovered that everything i was doing was wrong), nevertheles i still can´t play any musical piece, and it´s frustrating, i realized that playing trumpet only meant to me strugling and frustration. Is it that some people like myself just cant play this beautiful but god, so difficult instrument???? Y would realy like to know your opinion. Thank you very much.

Whatever you do, DON'T QUIT!!! Everybody's got to start somewhere, so don't feel bad about yourself. You can't get from here to there without going through what's in between. You can't expect things from yourself that you don't have, you have to get them first. However you want to put it, just don't give up and HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF

As for not being able to play anything musical, just play it really slow, one note at a time and going over the rythyms again and again, and keep on speeding it up a little each time so you eventually get to how it's supposed to sound. You won't have to do this forever, just until you get the hang of the different rythyms and note arrangements.

You said you had a teacher, tell him or her that you are frustrated, he or she should be able to help

Ha, I feel like that almost everyday and I've been playing for about 7 years now and am in college. It can be very frustrating but very rewarding at the same time. Its just like the person above said, play note by note day by day. Slow it down when you need to, practice correctly. Playing music is an exercise in patience, skill comes with time and good practice. Dont be discouraged, we've all been there. You've already put a year into it, see how much better you are in another year, I'll bet you'll be surprised.

I really appreciate your advice people. I guess i will give it a chance. I´ll do it couse i love this instrument. I would like to know how was your experience with trumpet at the begining, i mean, how long did you take to play without getting tired, your range, eg. Thank you very much.

I really appreciate your advice people. I guess i will give it a chance. I´ll do it couse i love this instrument. I would like to know how was your experience with trumpet at the begining, i mean, how long did you take to play without getting tired, your range, eg. Thank you very much.

well i am only like 13 so anyway i got my trumpet in sixth grade last year and at first i could not play a note on my brand new silver trumpet. i came to band class and i could not play anything on it.we were being graded and i could not get a sound out so i got my friend's trumpet and i played it perfectly ALMOST as good as i play now(i sounded great for a first year). i finally found out i had an intermediate trumpet and had to learn how to channel my air. even though i am only in 7th grade i am playing as good as SOME 8th graders. at the end off the year (about 8 months) we had an eb scale test and had not ever gotten to the high f and i played the scale and gave it 315% and i played something that was so new to me.by the summer i was getting a horribly sounding high g but i mastered that in a week(i know not much to brag about).i am not trying to discourage you or to brag but i never got a teacher to play with all i had was my dad(an awesome trumpeteer)and my grandpa(a band director) that was enough help even if i did not meet with them every day(i hardly practiced with my dad its just that he motivated me with the stories about how they won nationals or watever that was a big help). i have always been told i cannot go any farther because i play to the side of my mouth.

1. dont give up
2. ask your teacher if you have a begginer trumpet or not(if you don't keep your trumpet and keep playing that one)
3.have fun ad lib or something
4.not bragging but every now and then i can get an e the third one

hey i agree during my first year (7th grade) I couldnt play a note but then i advanced very quickly and soon played with the 8th graders, with the help of my very fun band director.

<Added>

oh, DONT YOU EVER QUIT JUST PRACTICE!!! ITS 2 FUN TO QUIT TRUST ME YOULL LOVE IT!!!!

Hey rei234, by "e the third one" do you mean triple leger line? If so, what kinda mouthpiece are you using and is it in tune. Because sometimes you find a mouthpiece that helps you go high but it's a mile sharp or flat. Thanks!

DONT GIVE UP! Trumpet is a tough instrument because what you're doing with your lips is so unnatural. It just takes time. Talk to your teacher about it and stick with it. You'll get there eventually. Good Luck!

you should'nt quit.everybody learns at a different pace.(not to brag)i started about ten months ago and im 1st trumpet* in concert and jazz band and have a nice high range.



*1st trumpet is the part i play(higher notes) Im not the very best trumpet player.

Thank you very much for your advice. I am doing what i should and not worring so much now.

I have to redo my embrochure after playing for 2 years. It's very frustrating but I would feel like a failure for quitting.

I would say don't give up. As far as you not being able to play songs make sure there not too advanced for you. And as others have said take them slow. I used to SUCK at sight reading. Anything I would sight read would sound like absolute crap. But over the past year I've practiced and practiced and practiced and now I'm not great, but I'm ALOT better than I was. If your having problems with your tones/sound I would try playing long tones/notes. Good Luck!

Hey man, if you love music and you love this beautiful instrument, then keep playing. I have been playing for about two years and I have wanted to quit countless times before, but I love music too much. It is always a struggle, no matter how long you play, because you always strive to achieve that perfect tone, that perfect sound, that perfect technique. It will never happen, but it's a journey. A long one, but a worthy one. Perhaps someday, you will get the Trumpet to work with you, but until then, it's a continuous battle. Don't be discouraged by what you can't do, it takes time. Just love to play. That's all you need.