Daily Technical Exercises
Richard Shuebruk's "Daily Technical Exercises for Advanced Players" is a rare and long out-of-print Sheubruk tome that was once a vital part of his Books for Bandsman series. For some reason, possibly due to the popularity of his lip and tongue trainers, publishers have stopped printing his lesser-known works. But at qPress, we shine a light on every long-lost gem. Here is what Shuebruk had to say about this book: Daily Technical Exercises is for advanced players and first chairs containing:
- Fine exercises, specially designed to develop the embouchure and tone quality;
- An analytical section for scales and intricate fingerings;
- Expert exercises for tongue technique, both staccato and legato;
- A section on slurring to secure the correct adjustment of mouthpiece and embouchure;
- More than a dozen grand etudes on the different sections of technical work.
Daily Embouchure Studies
Let's see what EF Goldman had to say about his book "Daily Embouchure Studies". You can have a look at some sample pages to the left and look above for a digital and print edition. From the author: "These exercises were written twenty five years ago. I have just looked them over carefully with a view to improving upon them if possible. After careful thought and study I have no wish to alter or add a single note. Before writing them I had consulted the greatest cornetists and other brass authorities in the world-including the famous cornetist Jules Levy- and they were all agreed upon the proper method for improving the tone, securing power and endurance, and perfecting the technic. These exercises should in reality become the "Daily Prayer" of every brass instrument player. The playing of sustained tones is the most important form of exercise on any instrument whether it be brass, reed or string. Volumes upon volumes have been written in the form of exercises, but nothing has or ever will be written that will improve the tone and strengthen the lips of a wind instrument player more quickly and permanently than the proper and simple practice of sustained tones regularly each day."
45 Master Student Daily Technical Exercises for Cornet or Trumpet
C.F. Toenniges 45 Daily Master Studies has been out of print far too long. This method takes you through all of the most difficult keys and patterns systematically in a way that allows you to cycle this method in and out of your daily routine so that you stay sharp in all areas of your playing. Let's hear from the author: "As a teacher of 30 years experience in the various branches of the music world I became familiar with the literature in those many departments. This made me realize, as every good teacher does, the lack of proper material, so essential to the development of the honest and ambitious student, trying to conquer the difficulties of the various Band and Orchestral instruments. Anyone with a fair degree of experience in either Band or Orchestra will have observed how much greater the demands for clean technique are now than they were even ten years ago, and owing to the ever increasing demand for startling effects it must of necessity be so. That being the case, you may rest assured that it will require from day to day more technique to play an absolutely clean job. The axiom "Practice brings Perfection" is undoubtedly endorsed by everyone. But, the question arises ''Practice What?'' To practice constantly in the key of "C" will not give the performer the ability to play with great speed and accuracy in the key of "D flat" for we improve only in that which we practice, so it is plainly to be seen that, to become efficient in the key of D flat we must practice in that key. These technical Exercises were written for the purpose of giving the honest student a panecea for ills of that kind. They are in all keys, so that no key, combination or register is neglected. Anyone who will conscientiously practice them will find them to be "INFALLIBLE" and will derive most wonderful benefits in a minimum of time. They are for the artist as well as for the student in the earlier stages, as it is all a matter of speed, accuracy and dexterity. Although the first few numbers, at first glance, may appear very simple, but if played up to great speed will take great patience and practice to get the same pure tonal quality and evenness in all measures and registers. Lack of phrasing is usually due to lack of understanding and ability to articulate the various combinations of slurs and staccatos. These exercises must be practiced with all the articulations given, making a tremendous demand on the ability of the student, but, as a reward preparing him for any and all demands in that direction."
Daily Exercises for Trumpet
The great jazz trumpeter Bunny Berigan wrote trumpet methods and exercise books over the course of his career, and Daily Exercises for Trumpet is a great example of a volume that stands alone as a basic trumpet method book and a jazz method at the same time. The exercises are laid out into a daily practice routine progressing in difficulty until Sunday and then starting over again. I managed to find a great print ad for this book from when it was first published and the write up perfectly frames the purpose of the book: "Here are the exercises that have made Bunny Berigan one of the greatest radio-recording trumpet virtuosos. Outlined for each day in the week, they will make your studies interesting as well as beneficial. It covers exercises in tonguing, slurring, breathing, intervals, chord structure, extreme registers, and swing etudes. The gateway to modern perfection is through this vital book!" Samples to the left and immediate PDF download above.
100 Trumpet Daily Drills (For the Fine Art of Trumpet Playing)
Murray Karpilovsky was the Principal Trumpet with the Symphony of the Air under Arturo Toscanini, and he played with Bruno Walter, Fritz Reiner, Leopold Stokowski, Albert Stoessel and Thomas Scherman during his long and storied career. The most successful and visible trumpeters are asked every day, without fail, how they are able to maintain such a high level of playing for so long and while under so much pressure. This book of 100 daily drills by Karpilovsky was an emphatic answer to that question. This set of daily exercises is over 90 pages, and for practice he suggests the drills from number one through number twenty three be done every day; starting with the open valves and progressing through all of the valve combinations in order. This is to be supplemented with the chromatic and scale wise exercises that follow from 76-100, adding dynamics, crescendos, and articulations to complete all areas of playing in one solid routine. I have included a few pages to the left to try for free. Then you can grab an immediate PDF download above.
Daily Routine Exercises
Aaron Harris wrote of these daily exercises: "By playing the following routine exercises every day, a custom that the author has followed for many years, an enormous reserve of power and a complete mastery of your instrument will be attained, as is proven by numerous successful pupils who have found these exercises very beneficial." What more could a trumpet player ask for? Check out a sample to the left, and grab a digital download above.
Daily Exercises for Horn
Max Pottag’s Daily Exercises for Horns is a must-have for the modern hornist. Exercises are set up in a progressive manner to facilitate the development and maintenance of proper technique. For anyone looking to improve their facility on the horn, or are simply looking for more exercises and tools to add to their practice "tool kit", this book is perfect. The samples provided are of the first few pages of the book, so you can get a sense of how the book is laid out. Click through and grab your horn to play a bit for free, then grab an immediate PDF download above.
The Trumpeter’s Daily Stunt
According to Richard Shuebruk, a working trumpeter needs from 15 to 20 minutes of practice every day. I would argue that that first line shows the age of this book, but the next few lines are as solid today as they were back then. He suggests that all players need lip work, attacks, intervals, and slurring every day, along with tonguing and finger work to round it all off. I would say he is right, and this short routine can be thrown immediately into anyone's daily practice to keep them honest. Check out his full forward to the left and grab a PDF download, or a download and print copy, by clicking above.
Daily Studies – Common Sense Lip & Tone Development
William Thicke's Daily Studies is subtitled "Common Sense Lip & Tone Development with Focus on Pressure (correctly applied) vs Non Pressure." That's a mouthful! This is very much a companion book to the Scholossberg in my opinion. Especially considering its focus on the basics of tone production, embouchure, attack, and breathing. This book has been available on this site in another form, as "The Art of Trumpet Playing" edited by Mel Broils. This is the original, and in my opinion and much better copy. Easier to read and with all the original text. I have attached the author's preface in the sample pages to the left as well as the first 15 exercises. Please give it a try, then grab a PDF download above. Enjoy!
62 Daily Exercises
Paudert's 62 Daily Exercises for Trumpet is subtitled "In the Keys Most Commonly Used." It is a series of 62 exercises in key signatures up to 3 sharps and 3 flats that can be used as technical practice for beginners, or as a starting point for intermediate and advanced players to do some transposing and range expansion. There is a wealth of scale and interval patterns in this book. More than enough to keep a young player busy, or to inspire a bit of maintenance practice for seasoned professionals. For people who know Paudert's other books (view all here), this is a wonderful addition to the repertoire, and available in PDF form for the first only at qPress. Samples to the left, and immediate PDF download above.
