Totally Trumpet: The fun way to learn (student and teacher)
Marian Hellen and Sarah Watts
Kevin Mayhew
This colourful publication is aimed at young beginners around Key Stage 2. The bright graphics in the book draw attention to the building blocks of notation in a fun way. I especially like the Rhythm Rhymes that are interspersed throughout the book – if a student can say it, they can play it. Note names are reinforced as part of the played exercises, with students saying them out loud to the rhythm.
On first blowing the trumpet, different students tend to produce either a G or a C on the open valves and this book allows progression from either. I especially like the order in which quavers, tied notes and dotted rhythms are introduced in the book as students seem to get dotted notes much more easily if they've learned tied notes first. Slurring is also introduced at the right place after a mainly tongued start. Progress continues logically until the introduction of the higher notes (from page 40) which feels like a big step up. Finally, G sharp and F sharp are introduced (in that odd order) right at the end of the book.
The teacher's book offers piano accompaniments which will be tricky for any brass teacher who is less able on the keyboard. The CD accompaniment is let down by a synthesised trumpet sound.
Essential Solos for Trumpet
Jeff Harrington
Advance Music
ADV 14422
Here is a book of notated improvised jazz solos that follow the harmonic structures of well-known jazz standards. The first tune in the book, ‘A Foggy Daze’, provides a solo which works well over the standard jazz harmonisation of ‘A Foggy Day’, and many others in the book follow this pattern. In the composer's notes he suggests that these solos are for memorisation as a first step towards improvisation. Once it can be sung from memory, the solo can be attempted on the trumpet.
Players need to be around Grade 5 to manage the note range and there is a good selection of different jazz styles from Latin to jazz waltz. The CD accompaniment gives an excellent trumpet demonstration of the solos and the book explains how it can be used as a music-minus-one if preferred. The detail in the notation is excellent, full of jazz nuances, bends, smears and flicks. My advancing students would really like this book and it would help them prepare for the longer solos in a typical jazz standard.
Groove Trumpet
Manuel Hilleke
Universal Edition
UE 36417
This isn't a brass band publication as understood in the UK. Instead, it refers to the New Orleans brass band style, with its rough and energetic sound. If you're familiar with the Hackney Colliery Band, you'll get the idea. It's bang up-to-date with hard, full-on blowing for advanced players maybe at conservatoire or university level who want to play along with this brash, bright sound. The accompanying rhythm section on the CD is tuba, drums and backing horns and the student will feel they are right in the band playing either lead or harmonisation. There is a great range of styles from the New Orleans creole to boogaloo, mariachi, and even a Greek misirlou.
Structurally, you get to play an A theme, a B theme and a solo which can be improvised or played from notation, mostly based around one scale which ‘fits all’. In sum: professional publication with highly detailed charts that would suit players with a serious interest in this refreshing new style of music.
Easy Concert Pieces for trumpet and piano: Vol 1 & 2
ed. Kristin Thielemann
Schott
ED 22555/6
An excellent collection of a broad range of well-transcribed pieces from the Renaissance to the modern era. Beautifully crafted for both instruments, the pieces are well-arranged for players of Grade 1 to 2 (volume 1) and Grades 2 to 3 (volume 2). The keys and ranges work well, expression and dynamics are all presented in a professional, unfussy way. It slightly loses its way in the contemporary selections which aren't as strong as earlier pieces. The highly professional CD accompaniment is sensitively played and enhances the publication as a whole. Ideal for auditions, public performances, competitions and exams.
