how to teach a fourth grader to play the trumpet?
14th November 2008
I'm a highschool trumpet player who takes lessons from a professional teacher, and I guess not…a first time lesson teacher myself. He probably doesn't know music theory, but I don't want to make it boring with all theory before actually playing, or make it overwhelming with all playing and no theory. Can you suggest any good sites or beginner trumpet playing books to teach from?
the best pedagogy for that age is to play right alongside him. that way he hears a good example all the time. teach counting notes and rests, nothing too complex,…
i like standards of excellence book one for beginners, i also like rubank elementary book for trumpet-but it's a bit dry for a younger player.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Find some jazz music. And try to teach him to play some of that.
References :
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I wouldn't teach a child that young to play an instrument that requires that strong of an embouchure…their teeth are still developing (many kids that age haven't yet lost all of their baby teeth) and that could really mess with their dental development. It's best to wait until around age 12 or so to start that. (This advice comes from 3 band instructors, when I asked about my 10yo taking lessons on either sax or trumpet.)
I would honestly work more with him on a keyboard and with listening exercises, to make the music theory fun. Let him work on fingering your trumpet, and let him learn how you do things. Show him different techniques, but let him hear the difference when you do them.
This way, he'll learn a lot and be more than ready for band in 6th grade or so, but he won't mess up his teeth. (If his parents really want him to start this early, I'd recommend getting his dentist or ortho's ok first.)
JMHO!
References :
Mom of a 10yo
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
the best pedagogy for that age is to play right alongside him. that way he hears a good example all the time. teach counting notes and rests, nothing too complex,…
i like standards of excellence book one for beginners, i also like rubank elementary book for trumpet-but it's a bit dry for a younger player.
References :
pro band teacher