Trumpet and the Language of Music
by Ralph Schwartz
- An encyclopedia of trumpet calisthenics
- A bold, new trumpet method
- Five chapters brimming with extensive material
- Reach your full potential
- Rediscover the JOY of practicing
- Expand your range
- Play equally in all keys
- Improve your transposition skills
- See this pedagogical treasure
- Improve the “health” of your playing
Trumpet and the Language of Music (TLM) is a highly structured, five chapter method with a consistent physical approach which spans THREE octaves!
This "encyclopedia of trumpet calisthenics" will be a significant tool for teaching and advancing the art of trumpet playing!
It promotes free blowing and creates a clear, intellectual understanding of the language of music.
You can purchase this bold, new trumpet method through qPress. Click on this link and it will take you to the qPress website.
Explore Each Chapter
“Every time you play the trumpet, you must practice all of your expressive powers.” – Ralph Schwartz
Chapter 1
"Bugle Song"
- Explore one, two and three octave harmonic flexibility in a seven-bugle format.
- Harmonics and tone production are combined in carefully graded sections to increase range and power.
- Also included are exercises directed at developing security in the highest and lowest registers of the trumpet.
- The exercises are presented in all seven valve combinations creating a seven-bugle format.
Chapter 2
"Trumpet - The Chromatic Bugle"
- Explores the chromatic nature of the seven-bugle instrument and maintains the same physical approach found in Chapter 1.
- It expands the chromatic concept further than other trumpet methods.
- Pure chromatic scales in one, two and three octave formats are followed by studies of chromatic patterns.
- Also in this chapter you will find a section on whole tone scales, patterns and arpeggios.
Chapter 3
"Major Scales - The Alphabet of Music"
- Starts with an original approach to learning by equalizing the fingering patterns of all the keys using numbered fingering sequences.
- Keys are represented by accidentals instead of key signatures.
- 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.
- The rest of the chapter explores full modal treatment in both a fluid legato and tongued context.
Chapter 4
"Reading the Language of Music"
- Build your vocabulary by reading as many musical patterns as possible.
- TLM contains 24 scale patterns inspired by H.L. Clarke’s Technical Studies.
- However, all keys are expanded to complete modal expression, thereby greatly enhancing endurance and technique.
Chapter 5
"Arpeggio Power"
- Arpeggios form the basis for reading intervals in music.
- Chapter 5 is a complete study of major, dominant 7th and diminished 7th arpeggios.
- These arpeggios studies utilize the same musical and physical approaches found throughout Trumpet and the Language of Music (TLM).
Endorsements
“Trumpet and the Language of Music” by Ralph Schwartz is a tremendous work in size and scope. It is a virtual encyclopedia in its included information. It is a systematic and organized progression of warm-ups and essential practice material that can be used in cafeteria style. That is, the player can pick and choose from chapter to chapter to enhance the range, flexibility and overall technique. Players will enjoy hopping about the book in an endless variety of ways to continue improving on the trumpet.”
Manny Laureano, Principal Trumpet Minnesota Orchestra
Ralph Schwartz’s new work, “Trumpet and the Language of Music” is THE encyclopedia of trumpet calisthenics! It is comprehensive and beautifully presented. The introductory written material is some of the best advice I have read – INSPIRING. The format is unique, as far as I know, and allows you to access and print out a little or a lot of material. This is intelligent material to build strength, flexibility and technique in a musical way.
David Baldwin, Former Professor of Trumpet University of Minnesota
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)
After taking time to look through Ralph’s method, I would echo a lot of the comments made by Manny Laureano. There is extensive coverage of scale patterns, including an encyclopedia treatment of the chromatic scale. Mastering these exercises alone would give a player extraordinary fluency in all major and minor keys. Ralph’s approach to lip slurs is also comprehensive, with excellent exercises for the beginner through the most advanced professional. Of particular interest is the wide range (wider than most other methods) of each of his exercises, and progressive building of more sophisticated patterns from simpler ones, which is very logical. Another unique and interesting aspect of the method is playing from fingering patterns rather than from notes in the staff. I think that could be particularly helpful for students as a means of solidifying the sequence of fingerings in all bugles. I found the practice of using accidentals in place of key signatures particularly helpful. Lastly, Ralph’s emphasis on getting to know the seven bugles is superb.
Dr. Martin Hodel, Trumpet Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Ralph Schwartz’s Trumpet and the Language of Music is an incredible new resource for the trumpet community. Similar in scope to the Arban, this book truly is an encyclopedia of information showcasing a new spin on chromatic work, scales, and arpeggios. Schwartz also clearly lays out his progressive and thoughtful approach to flexibility and range building in every chapter but particularly in his exploration of the “Bugle Song.” These exercises are not only accessible for young players, but one of the unique qualities of this method especially for more advanced players, is how quickly Ralph’s exercises take you around various registers of the horn. While there is an extraordinary amount of information to digest, players can use this resource to identify where they could improve and to then use Ralph’s studies to guide and motivate their growth.
Ryan Gardner, Associate Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
Our Mission Statement
The goal of the method, Trumpet and the Language of Music, is to share knowledge about the ancient and honorable art of playing the trumpet through this encyclopedia of trumpet calisthenics. Ralph Schwartz has shared his love for performing and practicing by creating Trumpet and the Language of Music for you and for your students. The highest levels of art are kept alive by human beings sharing their love and knowledge with one another, inspiring others to reach their true potential. Pass it on and watch it grow.
