Bertrand Moren

My First Steps 2

This second volume takes the pupil to the second stage of learning a brass instrument, and may correspond to the second year, although this obviously depends on the pupil's progress. The lessons are all constructed in a similar manner: first of all warm-ups, which should be repeated with only the mouthpiece, then flexibility, legato and staccato notes, rhythmical and technical exercises, and finally a short recital piece with piano accompaniment. Some of these pieces have a second trumpet part, which the teacher or another pupil can play. Pupils who advance quickly can feel free to mix exercises from different lessons, or to concentrate on only some of them. For instance bending the note with the lips is an excellent way to strengthen them, and can be repeated at every lesson, depending on the teacher's plan. The same warm-ups can be repeated, to avoid always having to learn new ones. The piano accompaniments are available in a separate volume, and a wider choice of similar recital pieces is to be found in the five volumes of 'Melodies for Beginners'.