Trumpet Practice Plan

Phase 2: Range Extension — Building the High Register

Goal: Add range and strength above the staff (G, A, B♭, C) with good tone and without tension. Il Triello uses this register; building it now makes the goal piece achievable.

Approximate duration: 6–12 weeks at 30 min/day.

Previous: Phase 1: Foundation
Next: Phase 3: Lyrical and Technical Repertoire

Skills you need before starting Phase 2

From Phase 1: Steady tone and clean single-tongue attacks; even rhythm on scales and all three Phase 1 pieces (first piece + two bridges); lip slurs in the staff (C–G–C, etc.) without cracking.
You can play all three Phase 1 pieces three times in a row with steady tone and even rhythm.
You’re ready to extend range above the staff and to add double tonguing (needed for faster passages in pieces like Trumpeter’s Lullaby).

Skills to Build in Phase 2

Skill	What to do	How to know you’re doing it right
Faster air (not harder)	Think “ee” inside your mouth for high notes; keep throat open. Use a firm, supported airstream from the stomach.	High notes speak without pinching or straining. Tone stays clear, not thin or forced.
Slur up and down	Lip slurs from middle G up to C above the staff and back (G–C–G, A–D–A, etc.). Start soft (mp), then try mf.	You can move between notes without tonguing; high note doesn’t “pop” or crack.
Scale to high C	B♭ and C major scales two octaves (low F to high C). Go slowly; keep tone even in the upper octave.	Upper notes match the quality of the lower notes; no sudden pressure or grimace.
Soft high notes	Play G, A, B♭, C above the staff at piano and hold 4 counts.	Note speaks and sustains; you’re not “blasting” to get the note.
Double tonguing	Use “ta-ka ta-ka” (or “tu-ku”) for fast articulated passages. Start on one note (e.g. middle G), slow tempo; keep air steady; make “ta” and “ka” even.	Both syllables are clear and even; no accent on every other note; rhythm stays steady.

30-Minute Session in Phase 2

Warm-up (5 min): Same as Phase 1, then add one slur that goes to high G or A.
Fundamentals (10 min): Slurs into the high register, scale to high C, 2–3 soft long tones on high G and A.
Piece work (15 min): Your chosen Phase 2 piece(s).

Phase 2 Pieces

There’s a noticeable step up from Phase 1 (simple tunes + two bridge pieces) to a full solo like Trumpeter’s Lullaby. Phase 2 has four piece slots (2A → 2B → 2C, plus optional 2D) so you can add space and avoid a big jump. Do 2A, then 2B, then 2C; 2D is optional for extra time in the upper register.

Piece 2A — First piece (introduces high register)

A short piece that uses high G (and maybe one or two high As) so you get used to the upper register in a simpler context.

Primary	Alternatives
“Vega” (Vandercook, Trumpet Stars)	Sheet music: Set 1. Short lyrical solo; touches upper register; grade ~2.5.
“Lyra” (Vandercook, Trumpet Stars)	Sheet music: Set 1. Similar style and range.
A “second year” lyrical solo from your method book	Sheet music or contest collections.

Work on: tone on the high notes, breathing at phrase ends, one dynamic level (e.g. mf) before adding more. When this feels solid, move on to Piece 2B.

Piece 2B — Second piece (more range and phrasing)

A piece that uses the upper register a bit more than 2A—more high Gs and As, maybe high B♭, and clearer phrasing or dynamics. Still shorter or less demanding than Trumpeter’s Lullaby, so the step to 2C isn’t too big.

Primary	Alternatives
“Mira” (Vandercook, Trumpet Stars No. 10)	Sheet music: Set 2. Grade 2.5 lyrical solo.
“Arcturus” or “Centaurus” (Vandercook, Trumpet Stars)	Sheet music: Arcturus in Set 1, Centaurus in Set 2.
Another short lyrical solo from your method book or contest list	Sheet music.

Work on: tone and tuning in the upper register, phrasing (breathe at phrase ends, shape the line), and one or two dynamic levels. When this feels solid, move on to Trumpeter’s Lullaby (Piece 2C).

Piece 2C — Main Phase 2 piece

“Trumpeter’s Lullaby” (Leroy Anderson)
Sheet music. Short lyrical solo with notes in the upper register (G–C above staff). Many editions include eighth-note passages that are easier and clearer with double tonguing—so work on the double-tonguing skill above as you learn the piece. If your edition has fast repeated notes or runs, use “ta-ka”; if not, single tonguing is fine.

Piece 2D (optional): A second short piece that uses G–C above staff (e.g. “Rigel” in Trumpet Stars Set 2, or a contest piece from your state list).

Alternatives to Trumpeter’s Lullaby (if you need a different Piece 2C)

If you can’t get “Trumpeter’s Lullaby”	Use instead
“Rigel” (Vandercook, Trumpet Stars No. 12)	Sheet music: Set 2. Grade 3.
Another second-year lyrical solo from your method book	Any short solo that has high Gs/As, some phrasing, and (optionally) faster articulated passages.

What to work on: For 2A and 2B, focus on tone on high notes, phrasing, and dynamics (as in the descriptions above). For Piece 2C—and 2D if you do it—also work on:

Tone quality on high notes (same “singing” sound as in the middle).
Double tonguing: If the piece has fast articulated passages (e.g. eighth-note runs), practice them slowly with “ta-ka” until even, then bring up to tempo. See Double tonguing videos.
Phrasing: breathe at the ends of phrases; make the line flow.
Dynamics: follow any markings (p, mf, f) and make them clear.

Ready to Move On from Phase 2?

When:

You can play Trumpeter’s Lullaby (or your chosen Piece 2C) three times in a row with no stops and with a clear, steady tone including on the high notes. (Pieces 2A and 2B should be solid too.)
Your scale to high C (B♭ or C major) is even and in tune; high notes don’t sound strained.
You can play high G and A at piano and hold them 4 counts with a good sound.
Double tonguing: If your piece has fast articulated passages, you can play them with even “ta-ka” at performance tempo; if the piece doesn’t use them, you can play a simple scale or pattern with even double tonguing at a moderate tempo (e.g. quarter = 80).

How to Self-Assess

Record the piece. Listen: Do high notes sound like the rest of the phrase, or tight and pinched? Are phrases smooth?
Record a scale to high C. Are the top notes in tune and even? If they’re sharp or forced, slow down the scale and work on air and “ee” position.

Videos to Watch (Phase 2 Skills)

Each skill links to the video section in Skills & Video Reference:

High notes / range — Faster air, “ee” tongue, no squeezing; range-building exercises.
Lip slurs (extend into high register) — Build Your Trumpet Range with These Lip Slurs.
Soft high notes — Playing high G and A quietly with good tone.
Double tonguing — How to learn “ta-ka,” keep it even, use it in fast passages (Trumpeter’s Lullaby and later).

See also the Skills → Video sections index.