Trumpet and the Language of Music is a highly structured, five-book method with a consistent, physical approach. It promotes free blowing and creates a clear intellectual understanding of the language of music. With its complete and unified approach to playing the trumpet, this method will guide the player to a full three-octave range within a musical context. Trumpet and the Language of Music will develop your capacity to play in all keys to improve your transposition skills. Beautiful tone production and clean articulation are the constant focus. Accomplished musicians must read and sing the language of music quickly and accurately. Each chapter has a specific focus that will lead you to new levels of playing the trumpet.

Chapter 3 – “Major Scales – The Alphabet of Music” starts with an original approach to learning and equalizing the fingering patterns of all the keys. The rest of this chapter explores full modal treatment in both a fluid legato and tongued context. Important notes about this book:

1. Starts with an original approach to learning by equalizing the fingering patterns of all the keys using numbered fingering sequences.
2. Keys are represented by accidentals instead of key signatures.
3. One of the biggest hurdles to reading music is the need to recall whether a note is sharped or flatted in a line of music.
4. The rest of the book explores full modal treatment in both a fluid legato and tongued context.

To the left you will see some samples, and above you can grab an immediate digital download.

Endorsement from Ron Hasselmann

Ralph Schwartz’s Trumpet and the Language of Music method, challenges every trumpet player from the intermediate player to the top professional. This method takes you through every conceivable pattern of exercise to help you break through the ‘wall’ that so many of us have created for ourselves whether it be range, technique, or any other barrier that keeps us from attaining the level of performance that we desire. His concepts and exercises take books such as those by Clarke, Schlossberg, and St. Jacome to a graduate level. I recommend that every serious trumpeter should play from this method for their daily routine.

Ron Hasselmann, Former Associate Principal Trumpet – Minnesota Orchestra (1958-1999)
Professor of Trumpet, St. Olaf College