ABSTRACT
Tone quality varies among professional players and even more so among students, but trumpet students are going to sound only as good as their mental image of the ideal tone. A model trumpet tone is best heard live via a music instructor or band director. If neither is able to provide a good tone, then encourage the student to listen to an older high school- or college-level musician. The most common method of vibrato for trumpet and the easiest to develop is hand vibrato. Hand vibrato is created by using the thumb of the right hand to move forward and backward making subtle pulsations in the pitch. Trumpet players exert force from the lower back when playing, and this can often lead to back stress and strain. The student should select a mouthpiece from a reputable company and secure an upper and lower range by developing the embouchure and correct breathing habits.
