Play Staccato on the Trumpet

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Video: Play Staccato on the Trumpet

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You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial series on how to play the trumpet. In the previous tutorial, we taught you how to tune a trumpet. In this part, we will show you how to play staccato on the trumpet.

1. 1
   A staccato essentially means the notes are cut short

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   While playing staccato, you will cut the duration of the crisp note. A staccato is produced by single-tonguing notes or using a "t" sound. There is another tutorial on single-tonguing notes.

   

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2. 2
   To visualize single-tonguing notes on the trumpet, hold up your hand and curve your fingers so that you can imagine your fingers as the roof of your mouth and your palm as your teeth

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3. 3
   With your tongue, you need to hit the space that connects your fingers and your teeth

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   You can feel this if you place your tongue on your two incisors in the area where the teeth meet the gums.

   

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4. 4
   The goal of staccato is to play an effective short "t" sound

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   In order to create a crisp "t" sound, your tongue needs to be pulled back from the gum line quickly. Every time the "t" sound is created, a quick puff of air will be pushed out of the mouth. The movement of your tongue is your embouchure, which creates crisp sound.

   

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5. 5
   You can practice staccato notes by playing a sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note

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   Together, they will make a quarter note. The sixteenth note is a grace note that helps with a staccato. You need to work on muscle memory. Now, let's play five "t-t" combinations of a sixteenth C note followed by a dotted eighth C note. You can choose middle C or C5, depending on your range and comfort level. Practicing this note combination will improve your staccato immensely.

   

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6. 6
   Now, the exercise is shown in the C major scale by going up and then coming down

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7. 7
   When you practice playing staccato, remember the embouchure

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   Also, always remember the placement of the tip of your tongue between the roof of your mouth and your two incisors. This tongue placement will help to create a crisp staccato.

   

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This has been a VisiHow tutorial on how to play staccato on the trumpet. If you're having trouble playing staccato, then simply leave your questions, comments, or suggestions in the area below; and we'll do our best to get back to you. Thanks for choosing VisiHow! Have a great day!

See more tutorials on playing the trumpet:

• Tune a Trumpet
• Play Staccato on the Trumpet
• Stand in the Correct Posture While Playing the Trumpet
• Play Legato on the Trumpet
• Empty Spit out of the Trumpet
• Play with Lips Trills on the Trumpet
• Improve Double Tonguing Notes on the Trumpet
• Play Arpeggios on the Trumpet
• Play C Chromatic Scale on the Trumpet
• Play Intervals on Trumpet
• Do Buzzing Exercises When Playing the Trumpet
• Use Your Diaphragm for Playing the Trumpet
• Buzz with Lips when Playing the Trumpet
• Buzz When Playing the Trumpet
• Hold the Trumpet
• Single Tongue the Trumpet
• Gain Endurance to Play Long Notes on the Trumpet
• Play the Trumpet with the Correct Embouchure

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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