Hi! I'm Marcus Grant, and - in addition to 8 years of experience as a college trumpet professor - I've taught over 200 private lessons students to date, and about half of them were beginners. I've taught trumpet players of ages 6 to 76 and gotten students of all experience levels into honor bands, drum corps, and college music programs of their choice all across the country over the past 13 years. My degrees come from Virginia Commonwealth University (Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education with a concentration in Trumpet) and Indiana University (Masters in Trumpet Performance with an outside area in Arts Administration). My teachers have included Rex Richardson from VCU (now at USC, who is a world-renowned Yamaha-Sponsored Performing Artist) and Joey Tartell from IU (who toured with Maynard Ferguson as the lead trumpet player in his jazz band). Both are INCREDIBLE teachers who changed my life in more ways than one. Through the years, I've had the opportunity to develop and refine methods effective for teaching trumpet players based off of TODAY'S knowledge about the trumpet as it relates to TODAY'S generation of students! This video is not a complete guide to the trumpet - it's designed to get new students started and exploring on their own. If you have further questions about starting the trumpet after watching this video, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to share this video if you found it helpful!
@@jadams4408 Hi! I can only speak generally to this, but - generally speaking, the 3c is a reliable mouthpiece that will grow with a beginner as they grow.
Nice! I hope you do get another trumpet! The experience of improving on a musical instrument can be incredibly rewarding, and sharing that progress with others is also rewarding. Thank you for watching and for the compliment!
You are a magnificent presenter with lots of fun segments and a strong arm for tossing mouth pieces to the wind. Keep it up. You will help many people become proficient in the art. Along with a guitar and trumpet, both are instruments I have never been able to start to master let alone play, at 76. And, the Piano and Flute and Oboe and Violin and all the brass and winds and strings but boy oh boy do I love listening to them all. Best, Charles
Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to watch! I'm glad you enjoyed the segments, especially being someone who is clearly passionate about music!
This video celebrates the 1--year-anniversary of "How To Play Trumpet In 15 Seconds"! Let's keep talking about how to play the trumpet more efficiently 😎 What more would you like to know? **WATCH NEXT: 7c Mouthpiece - The Grim Destroyer of Trumpet Growth ua-cam.com/video/bQMhUdF6IN8/v-deo.html
Still very curious about why you advise a 5B moutpiece, can't find that video on your channel... :) I was advised to get a 3C instead of the 7C that came with the trumpet.
Great stuff Marcus! After 40 years playing guitar and doublebass I decided to try something totally different and got myself a pocket trumpet. But guess what? It's come with a 7c! No problem I'll struggle with this until my new 5b arrives next week. Great vid by the way!
Thank you for making this video! I played clarinet and alto sax in high school, and I've always wanted to try out the trumpet. I plan on getting one soon, and this video helps!
4:33 wait so how do u get a high c by blowing a low C using valves only when there's only 3 buttons and that it lowers the pitch? how does a valve increase the pitch?
I just picked up trumpet yesterday but had already been playing mellophone for 2 years so I kinda realized soon that I may be past the point of "beginner" 😂 still a great tutorial for anyone who's a complete newbie to these kinds of instruments. Great video.
I am having trouble changing the tone when I play it's a solid note, and pressing the valves sometime change them. Maybe I just need to clean out this trumpet it's an older one
Perfect introduction great video 👏mouthpieces are totally “What ever Works”with your own lip and mouth structure this takes a lot of experimenting and where you are sitting in your Band or Orchestra!a nice big mouth piece for a lovely smooth sound with low notes and a shallower one for lead trumpet BUT there are not set rules!.Stick at it 🎶🎺🎶🎺🎶😂
Marcus amigo, I've gotta say...ruddy LOVING your vibe man. I woke up this morning (ayup Kenny Rogers) and just randomly had the desire to give trumpet playing a try so I googled "how to play trumpet easy" and this video popped up. You've got some crackin' gravitas my friend and this video specifically has convinced me to, come pay day next week, hunt down an affordable trumpet and give it a toot or two. Gonna get my research game on today and wrap my noggin' around which trumpet to get as well as hunt down a 5b mouthpiece. I shall report back with the results soon(ish) 👍
I just got an old trumpet from my grandfather and I thought it was gonna take forever. I watched this vid and thought ‘your kidding right, the valves are that simple?’
I don't know of any online groups specifically where beginners can do this, but perhaps there should be, right? The closest place I can turn you to is Trumpet Headquarters and MusicFit Academy. If anyone were doing this - or were to do this - it would be Estela Aragon, the founder of both of these organizations :) hope it helps!
Just got my first trumpet and I'm still figuring out how to play it. Your video is super helpful and I love your sense of humor. I hope you go viral so that I get more tutorials from you!!!
im also left handed Edit: turns out the trumpet had a valve that was not supposed to be their and when it was replaced it was actually surprising easy probably because I just blew the 7C mouthpiece all day so it's really nice plus if I didn't find this video I probably wouldn't even know how to blow a trumpet at all.
Watched this video because my sister is starting middle school band in 7 days, and wanted to learn the trumpet with her (i played the trombone and tuba), and was never told how the valves worked.
Thank you so much Debbie!! It's great to hear from you! I currently own 3, but I've played 4 trumpets as well as 2 instruments closely related to the trumpet family: A Piccolo Trumpet, Eb Trumpet, C Trumpet, Bb Trumpet, Cornet, and Flugelhorn 🎺
Depending on what music you play, yes! The trumpet actually is an evolution of the bugle, which had no valves at all. Anything classified like a bugle call - such as Taps, Reveille, or First Call - can be played without pressing any valves down.
Hey man, love your videos but just wanted to mention your embouchure, it seems like it’s too low on your mouth so you’re only using your lips and not the muscles above your lips etc. I’ve been playing trumpet for over 10 years and I’ve just come to that revelation myself when I realised that I’d wear out my lips too fast, couldn’t really improve my range without pushing really hard and would look a little silly while playing. Just wanted to know whether this has affected you much or if you’re aware (or if you think I’m completely wrong haha) since im basically going back to basics to fix mine
Hey there! Thanks for the compliment! Mouthpiece/embouchure placement is not subject to a 1-to-1 conversation across all players, and you'll find different setups from all sorts of professional players across the world. After all, no two people have the same mouth (that's why I barely mentioned it at all in this video). You can check out my multitrack videos here on UA-cam and hear double pedal C's and high G's and everything in between :) some of those recording sessions turned into 6 or 7-hour days. So to answer your question, no; it hasn't affected me at all! I also have never left the basics - they are a part of my daily routine. I do this because fundamentals increase in consistency over time as you stay vigilant with them, and your playing becomes more and more efficient over time as a result. Hope it helps!
Problem: The 7C's shallower cup can make it harder to produce a rich, full sound in the lower register. Lower notes might sound thinner or less resonant compared to using a larger, deeper mouthpiece. Why: A shallow cup doesn't allow as much air to move through the trumpet for lower notes, reducing the depth of sound.
Problem: Some players find that using a 7C can cause them to tire faster, especially when playing for long periods or in the upper register. Why: While the 7C is easier to play high notes on, the medium cup size can put a lot of pressure on your lips over time, reducing endurance.
Problem: The 7C is versatile but can lack the flexibility to produce the darker, richer sound desired for certain styles of music (like classical or orchestral). Why: The shallower cup and standard rim size create a more neutral, brighter tone that’s not ideal for every situation.
Hi! I'm Marcus Grant, and - in addition to 8 years of experience as a college trumpet professor - I've taught over 200 private lessons students to date, and about half of them were beginners. I've taught trumpet players of ages 6 to 76 and gotten students of all experience levels into honor bands, drum corps, and college music programs of their choice all across the country over the past 13 years.
My degrees come from Virginia Commonwealth University (Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education with a concentration in Trumpet) and Indiana University (Masters in Trumpet Performance with an outside area in Arts Administration). My teachers have included Rex Richardson from VCU (now at USC, who is a world-renowned Yamaha-Sponsored Performing Artist) and Joey Tartell from IU (who toured with Maynard Ferguson as the lead trumpet player in his jazz band). Both are INCREDIBLE teachers who changed my life in more ways than one.
Through the years, I've had the opportunity to develop and refine methods effective for teaching trumpet players based off of TODAY'S knowledge about the trumpet as it relates to TODAY'S generation of students! This video is not a complete guide to the trumpet - it's designed to get new students started and exploring on their own. If you have further questions about starting the trumpet after watching this video, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to share this video if you found it helpful!
How do you feel about 3c for a 10yr old (if that matters)?
@@jadams4408 Hi! I can only speak generally to this, but - generally speaking, the 3c is a reliable mouthpiece that will grow with a beginner as they grow.
Bro I play flute why am I watching this 😭
I used to play flute but switched to trumpet from respiratory issues
Fr same
@@MagicKirb GET OUT!! jk
@@MagicKirb me too😭 I’m watching it bc I’m changing my instrument next year😭
Bro i also dont know why im watching this to im playing clarinet💀
I used to play 8 years ago in elementary but I was never good, I want to get another trumpet, nice video thank you
Nice! I hope you do get another trumpet! The experience of improving on a musical instrument can be incredibly rewarding, and sharing that progress with others is also rewarding. Thank you for watching and for the compliment!
can you please make the video about why 7c is not good and b5 is good I dont really understand and i want to learn
Me too because l have a 7c and the video that you told us to go to didn't explain why the 7c is bad???????😥
l don't want to be mean. Just saying😁
@@meramagdy4142he made a video, go see it
Yeah I'm sorry, it legit took forever 😅 I'm editing the video right now. Should be up in the next week or less. I'll let you know when it's up!
Can't find a b5 🤔 where can I buy it
I just wanted to thank you for being so kind and sharing your knowledge. I haven't touched a trumpet since 1975. I want to start again.
You are a magnificent presenter with lots of fun segments and a strong arm for tossing mouth pieces to the wind.
Keep it up. You will help many people become proficient in the art.
Along with a guitar and trumpet, both are instruments I have never been able to start to master let alone play, at 76. And, the Piano and Flute and Oboe and Violin and all the brass and winds and strings but boy oh boy do I love listening to them all.
Best,
Charles
Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to watch! I'm glad you enjoyed the segments, especially being someone who is clearly passionate about music!
00:50 Also, dont plug the air hole while putting it in or it will get stuck! Learned that the hard way as a kid
Thank you 🙏🏾 I am just starting to play the trumpet and this video helped.
I'm happy to hear that it helped! Congratulations on starting the trumpet and good luck!!
This video celebrates the 1--year-anniversary of "How To Play Trumpet In 15 Seconds"! Let's keep talking about how to play the trumpet more efficiently 😎 What more would you like to know?
**WATCH NEXT: 7c Mouthpiece - The Grim Destroyer of Trumpet Growth ua-cam.com/video/bQMhUdF6IN8/v-deo.html
Hey So have you tried playing outside the red of the lips?
Still very curious about why you advise a 5B moutpiece, can't find that video on your channel... :) I was advised to get a 3C instead of the 7C that came with the trumpet.
The valves on the trumpet are like finger binary, wherein you combine individual parts to make many different sounds, and I think it’s very awesome 😊
As a flute player who started learning trumpet four hours ago... thank you this is so helpful 🔥🔥
Great stuff Marcus! After 40 years playing guitar and doublebass I decided to try something totally different and got myself a pocket trumpet. But guess what? It's come with a 7c! No problem I'll struggle with this until my new 5b arrives next week. Great vid by the way!
Thank you for making this video! I played clarinet and alto sax in high school, and I've always wanted to try out the trumpet. I plan on getting one soon, and this video helps!
I'm so happy to hear that! Best of luck on your journey of trying the trumpet!
I appreciate this! I’m currently a clarinet but I want to make marching band something that I can continue doing in highschool :)
my EXACT situation
I found this helpful! My grandpa left me his old cornet and I'm keen to teach myself.
This is my day 1 of learning the instrument. I just made my first note and I'm super excited😄
That's awesome! Congratulations!!
Watched this just for the funsies, but now I want a trumpet. Like, holy, it's just so damn cool.
In my extremely-biased opinion, I agree!
Fantastic information, thank you!
I hope you make more videos like these. If you have can you put links.
Thank you! I will soon! Starting with the mouthpiece video ;)
Thanks!
Thank YOU!! That's such a kind thing for you to do!!
Marcus! Very happy to discover you! Thanks for the entertaining and clear direction!
Bless you sir! Thanks for sharing!
Thank YOU for watching!
Thank you.
That purple trumpet is beautiful 😍. My daughter just joined her middle school band as is learning the trumpet.
Thank you! That's exciting to hear your daughter is learning the trumpet; I wish her the best of luck!
4:33 wait so how do u get a high c by blowing a low C using valves only when there's only 3 buttons and that it lowers the pitch? how does a valve increase the pitch?
The pitch depends on how you blow into the mouthpiece
Super super super tutorial
Augustine violinist from Malaysia
I just picked up trumpet yesterday but had already been playing mellophone for 2 years so I kinda realized soon that I may be past the point of "beginner" 😂 still a great tutorial for anyone who's a complete newbie to these kinds of instruments. Great video.
Nice - yeah, a lot of skills transfer between the two instruments. Thanks for watching and for your kind words!
I play flute. Why am I watching this? One day I would really like to play trumpet, this is really helpful! ❤
I play the piano. Each key has it's own note. The valve system on the trumpet makes my brain hurt.
I just started trumpet and this really helps thanks!❤
I am having trouble changing the tone when I play it's a solid note, and pressing the valves sometime change them. Maybe I just need to clean out this trumpet it's an older one
Perfect introduction great video 👏mouthpieces are totally “What ever Works”with your own lip and mouth structure this takes a lot of experimenting and where you are sitting in your Band or Orchestra!a nice big mouth piece for a lovely smooth sound with low notes and a shallower one for lead trumpet BUT there are not set rules!.Stick at it 🎶🎺🎶🎺🎶😂
When ordering Should I be concerned of the “351” ? Most say Bach 351 5b….as opposed to simply Bach 5b
It lit up as soon as you said hit that like button
Yeah, that's really cool that UA-cam does that now! Thanks for watching :)
your trumpet is super nice!
Thank you!
Marcus amigo, I've gotta say...ruddy LOVING your vibe man. I woke up this morning (ayup Kenny Rogers) and just randomly had the desire to give trumpet playing a try so I googled "how to play trumpet easy" and this video popped up. You've got some crackin' gravitas my friend and this video specifically has convinced me to, come pay day next week, hunt down an affordable trumpet and give it a toot or two.
Gonna get my research game on today and wrap my noggin' around which trumpet to get as well as hunt down a 5b mouthpiece. I shall report back with the results soon(ish) 👍
This is awesome!!
I have been told left-handed people are geniuses. I think it’s true.
Please explain why a B5 mouthpiece is better!!!
Can diffrent mouth peices from another brand go on a trumpet from another brand
Yes more thank you for the update
GIMME MORE VIDEOSS!!!!
Impressive so how do I get de b5 mouthpiece ?
Hi, I bought by mistake a 5C, it’s still better than a 7C and it’s different enough from a 5B to buy it?
Yes please
Good job!
Thank you!
I just got an old trumpet from my grandfather and I thought it was gonna take forever. I watched this vid and thought ‘your kidding right, the valves are that simple?’
Hello are there any groups where beginners can practice trumpet together?
I don't know of any online groups specifically where beginners can do this, but perhaps there should be, right? The closest place I can turn you to is Trumpet Headquarters and MusicFit Academy. If anyone were doing this - or were to do this - it would be Estela Aragon, the founder of both of these organizations :) hope it helps!
@@MSGrantMusic Thanks for this.
Just got my first trumpet and I'm still figuring out how to play it. Your video is super helpful and I love your sense of humor.
I hope you go viral so that I get more tutorials from you!!!
Do you recommend the conn 4 trumpet mouthpiece? Just cuz I have a conn 4 USA trumpet
I cant find the 5b, is the 5c ok?
Hi I want trumpet classes online
Hi Marcus, can I use a vm4 mouth piece?
im also left handed
Edit: turns out the trumpet had a valve that was not supposed to be their and when it was replaced it was actually surprising easy probably because I just blew the 7C mouthpiece all day so it's really nice plus if I didn't find this video I probably wouldn't even know how to blow a trumpet at all.
Oh and REALLY want to learn how to change tones without valves
what if im left handed do i hold it in reverse?
i want more videos
I'm happy to hear that! I'm working on them right now ;)
Can you show us how to play jingle bells?
is it fine if i use a 5c instead of a 5b?, because it's all i have and i can't afford to buy another 5b mouthpiece
Watched this video because my sister is starting middle school band in 7 days, and wanted to learn the trumpet with her (i played the trombone and tuba), and was never told how the valves worked.
Bro had to make sure we knew our rights and lefts 😂, love your videos by the way.
I don’t see your website
Outstanding introduction!
Thank you, Michael!!
I want to pla taps or my brother
I play a 5c and i still can't do high pitch, i need help lol
how to hold it wasnt helping me with a pocket trumpet.
Well done! My 6 year-olds watched it with me (and the linked video too!) They were wondering - how many different trumpets do you play?
Thank you so much Debbie!! It's great to hear from you! I currently own 3, but I've played 4 trumpets as well as 2 instruments closely related to the trumpet family: A Piccolo Trumpet, Eb Trumpet, C Trumpet, Bb Trumpet, Cornet, and Flugelhorn 🎺
@@MSGrantMusic that's cool! 🎺
@Debbie Wolfe Thank you! :)
Essentially you never need to press any valves to play any music on the trumpet??
Depending on what music you play, yes! The trumpet actually is an evolution of the bugle, which had no valves at all. Anything classified like a bugle call - such as Taps, Reveille, or First Call - can be played without pressing any valves down.
Comon, brass instruments are not about dominant hand...
My mouthpiece is 7c what do I do😭😭😭😭
I played clarinet from 4th to 9th grade however if I had to do it again I would have played trumpet & I would have played it beyond 9th grade
So you didn't explain why we had to ditch the seven c for the five b in the next video
as a clarinet I’m watching this to play trumpet😭🙏
Dootdoot!
🎺🎺🎺🎺
Why not a 7c I kid has one
Yo i dont wanna be mean or annoying or anything but i heard a f when you played g, when you played c i got a b flat,
What’s wrong with 7c💀
Because its 7" 😂
Guys anyone do you have an extra 🎺 trumpet please 😭😭😭😭🎺🎷🎷can you give me
I play bass clarinet, why am I watching this?
I should probably stop smoking 💀
Please anyone
My trumpet came with a 5C
Ro o have a 7c I just threw it across the seven seas
Man, I don’t trust you. I came here to do research for my creative writing and next thing I know I’m looking at trumpets and mouthpieces.
W briff
I play cello why am I watching this?
dootdoot
Doot doot!! 🎺🎺
Master 7c then go for whatever you want.
Dawg I pressed the like button and it didnt make me better😥
across the 7 seas it goes 👉
Bro I literally have a 7c
But whats the rush bruh??
Because! Higher, faster, LOUDER!!
❤😅😊
I play clarinet why am I watching this 😭
Does the actual trumpet matter?
Yes, you won't make much sound without one
I play drums, why am I watching this?
Hey man, love your videos but just wanted to mention your embouchure, it seems like it’s too low on your mouth so you’re only using your lips and not the muscles above your lips etc. I’ve been playing trumpet for over 10 years and I’ve just come to that revelation myself when I realised that I’d wear out my lips too fast, couldn’t really improve my range without pushing really hard and would look a little silly while playing. Just wanted to know whether this has affected you much or if you’re aware (or if you think I’m completely wrong haha) since im basically going back to basics to fix mine
Hey there! Thanks for the compliment! Mouthpiece/embouchure placement is not subject to a 1-to-1 conversation across all players, and you'll find different setups from all sorts of professional players across the world. After all, no two people have the same mouth (that's why I barely mentioned it at all in this video). You can check out my multitrack videos here on UA-cam and hear double pedal C's and high G's and everything in between :) some of those recording sessions turned into 6 or 7-hour days. So to answer your question, no; it hasn't affected me at all! I also have never left the basics - they are a part of my daily routine. I do this because fundamentals increase in consistency over time as you stay vigilant with them, and your playing becomes more and more efficient over time as a result. Hope it helps!
Ntm
What’s wrong with 7c🥲 it’s perfectly fine
Problem: The 7C's shallower cup can make it harder to produce a rich, full sound in the lower register. Lower notes might sound thinner or less resonant compared to using a larger, deeper mouthpiece.
Why: A shallow cup doesn't allow as much air to move through the trumpet for lower notes, reducing the depth of sound.
Problem: Some players find that using a 7C can cause them to tire faster, especially when playing for long periods or in the upper register.
Why: While the 7C is easier to play high notes on, the medium cup size can put a lot of pressure on your lips over time, reducing endurance.
Problem: The 7C is versatile but can lack the flexibility to produce the darker, richer sound desired for certain styles of music (like classical or orchestral).
Why: The shallower cup and standard rim size create a more neutral, brighter tone that’s not ideal for every situation.
@@QundaleDingle-zc7mb yeah a struggle with this as a marcher