Daily Trumpet Practice Routine
Daily Trumpet Practice Routine for Blue Devils/Carolina Crown Preparation (30-45 Minutes)
Total Time: 35-45 Minutes
1. Warm-Up & Tone Focus (8-10 min)
Set your tone and engage your air support.
- Long Tones (3-4 min): Hold notes from low F# to G in the staff for 8-12 seconds. Focus on air support, resonance, and
steady pitch.
- Lip Bends (2-3 min): Bend down from middle G by a half step, then return. Aim for smooth movement and embouchure
control.
- Flexibility Flow (3 min): Lip slurs on partials: C-G-C, G-C-E-G. Gradually increase speed and range.
2. Technique & Dexterity (8-10 min)
Build precision and fluidity across all keys.
- Arpeggios & Scales (5 min): Play 2 scales/day (1 flat key, 1 sharp key). Include articulations: slurred, tongued,
accented.
- Single/Double Tonguing (3-5 min): Start slow and increase to 16ths and triplets. Clarke #2 style on repeated notes with
T, K, TK, TKTK patterns.
3. Endurance & Range (10 min)
Condition your chops for upper register and volume.
- Range Builders (6 min): Slur exercises from G to High C and above. Use a "ladder" approach: G -> Bb -> D -> F -> A
-> High C+.
- Marcato/Chop Builders (4 min): Short, loud bursts of 4 bars, repeated. BD-style articulation with clean cutoffs and
support.
4. Musical Application (8-10 min)
Translate technique into musical context.
- Excerpt Practice (5-7 min): BD/CC show excerpts, audition etudes. Work slow-to-fast with a metronome. Record for
feedback.
- Sight Reading (2-3 min): New chart/etude daily. Prioritize accuracy, timing, and musical line.
5. Cool Down (1-2 min)
Prevent injury and aid recovery.
- Soft Long Tones (1 min): Play soft low G, F#, and E with smooth air.
- Soft Lip Slurs (1 min): Slur downward and upward quietly between low partials.
Weekly Themed Variations:
- Range Mondays - Emphasize Range Builders and Lip Slurs.
- Etude Tuesdays - Spend extra time on musical excerpts and audition material.
- Technical Wednesdays - Focus more time on scales, arpeggios, and articulation drills.
- Flexibility Thursdays - Add extra flexibility exercises, including expanding slurs and intervals.
- Full-Rep Fridays - Simulate show rep with longer excerpts and high-energy sequences.
- Sight-Reading Saturdays - Spend 10+ minutes on new materials.
- Restful Sundays - Light warm-up only, tone work, or take off as needed.
Daily Trumpet Practice Routine
Visual Warm-Up Suggestions (Pre-Playing):
- 10 shoulder rolls forward/backward
- 10 slow neck circles each direction
- Arm swings and full breaths (inhale 4 counts, exhale 4)
- Mouthpiece buzz: 3 long tones, 3 lip slurs
Marching Technique Integration (Optional Add-on: 5-10 min):
- Play While Marking Time - Use long tones or scales while maintaining good posture.
- 8-to-5 Step Patterns - Walk short scale patterns across a space using 8-to-5 step size.
- Visuals with Playing - Practice horn snaps, slides, and body visuals while sustaining a tone.
Additional Notes:
- Use a metronome and tuner daily.
- Rest as much as you play during high-note drills.
- Hydrate and care for lips (chop balm, warm down).
- Rotate focus areas through the week for balanced growth.
