Trumpet Basics​

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Trumpet fingering chart

Trumpet Fingering Trainer app for Android

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How to oil your valves

1. Take the lid off your valve oil (obvious, but saves time once you have the valves out).

2. Unscrew and remove one valve at a time.

3. Using a lint-free cloth, wipe the valve clean.

4. Turn the valve oil upside down and touch the tip to the side of the valve (do NOT squeeze). Three to four drops should be more than enough.

5. Replace the valve in the casing, twist to distribute the oil.

6. Make sure the valve is facing the right way (usually, align the number stamped on the valve with the leadpipe) before screwing on the cap.

7. Press the valve a few times to help distribute the oil vertically.

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Giving your trumpet a bath

Follow these instructions, being very careful not to scratch or dent the valves and valve casings. Read the Extra Tips at the bottom of that page before starting. Do not submerge the valves completely or you will need to replace the felt at the top!

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Flute Basics

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Flute fingering chart

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How to clean your flute

Never submerge your flute! The pads are made of felt and must be kept dry. Each time you finish playing, take a thin cotton cloth and thread it through the end of your cleaning rod. Take your flute apart and use the rod to push the cloth through each joint. For the head joint, do not push against the crown (you could change the tuning or push it completely out). Instead, you can wrap the cloth over the end of the cleaning rod to help get all the moisture out. You can also wipe excess oil and dirt from the exterior.

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Finding Sheet Music

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Free

• 8notes.com - Searchable by instrument, style, artist (composer), and difficulty. Has playalong jam tracks for popular songs. Also offers general and instrument-specific resources.

• imslp.org - Huge repository of public domain Classical music that has been scanned by other music lovers, often in several editions. Some scans are higher quality than others. The navigation and search can take some time to figure out, but it is very detailed.

• musescore.com - User-generated, interactive sheet music: listen to the score before playing, transpose, change the playback tempo, select measures to hear. Lots of popular music and arrangements, but beware that they may not be 100% correct.

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Paid

• sheetmusicplus.com - Wide range of offerings from the standard publishers. Method books, collections, and individual pieces all available. Some free downloadable sheet music as well under Download > Free Sheet Music.

• Archambault - Order online or in-store at the Berri-UQAM location for a great selection of standard repertoire and method books.

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Music Apps

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Note reading

• Note Trainer Home for Android

• Note Trainer Lite/Pro for iOS

• NoteRacer for iOS

• NoteRush for Android ($6.99) and iOS ($6.99) - Note flash cards that can listen and give feedback for any instrument, including transposing instruments.

• Flashnote Derby for Android ($3.30) and iOS ($4.99) - Identify and play notes quickly and correctly to win this horse race!

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Rhythm

• The Most Addicting Sheep Game for iOS ($0.99) - Tap on the beat to win!

• Rhythm Cat Pro for iOS ($3.99) - Tap out rhythms and get instant feedback.

• Complete Rhythm Trainer for Android - Different types of rhythm drills to test both reading and listening. Great for older students and has all the concepts to grow with you to university and beyond.

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Theory and ear training

• Complete Ear Trainer for Android and iOS - Develop relative pitch by spelling and identifying intervals, chords, and scales. You can change the naming system from ABC to Do Ré Mi, and it has comprehensive explanations of the concepts and theory as you progress. Great for older students and has all the concepts to grow with you to university and beyond.

• Tenuto for iOS ($3.99) - The theory app from MusicTheory.net (see below). Exercises for identifying and playing notes, intervals, chords, scales, etc. along with useful music calculators and analysis tools.

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Theory​ Info

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• Interval Song Chart Generator - Great examples of songs to kick-start your interval ear-training.

• Music Crash Courses - Start here for a short explanation of each aspect of music theory.

• Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People by Toby W. Rush - Music theory in fun infographic form. Very visual, but can sometimes be cluttered and overwhelming.

• MusicTheory.net - Animated, interactive lessons that explain step by step plus a full array of customisable exercises.

• The Method Behind The Music - Covers the basics of reading music, but also delves into the physics of sound, how instruments work, and music history.

• Open Music Theory - Covers the basics, but also goes FAR beyond if you are interested. They emphasize experiencing and engaging with music as the best way to learn (in other words, you have to make and break music to figure out how it works).

• http://www.apprendrelesolfege.com/ - Tous les rudiments sont sous Navigation et il y a beaucoup de jeux et exercices.