November 4, 2026

An advanced trumpet student needs the appropriate books and solos literature to continue progressing smoothly. Often these students get lost practicing material they already sound good on, either because they do not have new music that is adequately challenging, or because they feel more comfortable on music that already sounds good. Many of the following etude books are core materials that should be in every advanced trumpet player’s library, or available for check-out from the band teacher. Taken as a whole, the etudes below are sufficient for a committed student to be successful at the pre-college level and into their professional career. Many of us know the basic beginner books in helping get young trumpeters rolling. However, the list below is for those of us that need a little help in knowing what to have in the band music library for those students that are showing incredible promise and are looking for the college path for acquiring the needed technical and musical skills needed to sour through those finger-biting college auditions. Having these book readily available for your private teachers and students studying on their own will give them a great place to reach for success. Arban, J. B. Complete Conservatory Method. Colin, 1981 Considered the most comprehensive pedagogical trumpet book in print, the Arban book covers all areas of trumpet technique as well as duets and cornet solos. With 380-pages of non-stop trumpet technique, the book is a must for every trumpet student. Bordogni, M. P. Melodious Etudes. Leduc, 1948 These etudes are arrangements of 120 vocalises, set for voice and piano by Marco Bordogni. The printed piano score and a CD of the piano accompaniment are also available. By playing with piano on CD, the trumpeter has a chance to truly be a soloist, adding an additional dimension to the usual practice fare. Brandt, V. Thirty-Four Studies. International, 1945 Vassily Brandt (1869-1923) German born, but immigrated to Russia. Most known for teaching at the Moscow Conservatory 1900-1912, and the Saratov Conservatory from 1912-1923. He was the trumpeter for the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra close to 20 years. This book designed to develop an orchestral approach to sound, articulation, intonation and style. Each etude includes a short orchestral trumpet quotation, which is incorporated into original writing in the same style. The etudes themselves are not difficult, but performing them correctly requires both “chop” endurance and a clear grasp of the musical style. This book is best studied with a trumpet teacher with established orchestral experience. The etudes are commonly used to practice transposition once the fundamental skills have been mastered. Bousquet, N. Thirty-Six Celebrated Studies for Cornet. Carl Fischer Considered a prequel to the Charlier book, this book features etudes which are difficult in both key and technique. The style is that of early 20th century cornet music. Caffarelli, R. One Hundred Studi Melodici. Ricordi, 1957 This book is oriented toward transposition, including specific instruction on every aspect of transposition, and including both clef and intervallic transposition. The preface features charts and descriptions of both. The studies are melodic and lyrical, lending to a song-like approach to transposition. Charlier, Theo. Thirty Six Etudes Transcendantes. Leduc, 1946. Considered one of the truly great etude books written for trumpet, this book’s publication set a new standard for trumpet playing. The studies are very advanced, and include both lyrical and technical playing. Newer editions contain the original French text, so any questions of interpretation can be answered with respect to the original source. A piano accompaniment, written by Jean-Marie Cottet, is available for ten of the etudes. Clarke, H.L. Technical Studies. Carl Fisher, 1934 Many educators believe that the Clarke book is designed for finger dexterity. While it is true that finger dexterity is a by-product of the book’s design, its actual intent is to build breathing and aperture flexibility and embouchure strength. When combined with finger dexterity, the result is a student with increased endurance, range, breath control, flexibility, and finger speed in all keys. Colin, C. Complete Advanced Lip Flexibilities. Colin, revised and edited: 1980 This book is an aid in building a trumpeter’s range, which is increased rapidly within the first seven exercises. Colin also discusses topics such as proper warm-up, intelligent practicing, the role of the tongue in lip slurring, lip flexibility, and lip trilling and stretching. A major challenge even to good trumpet players, adequate REST is crucial when working from this book, to avoid fatigue and bruising. Concone G. Lyrical Studies for Trumpet. The Brass Press, 1972 The Concone book is considered the prequel to the Bordogni book, and is a good introduction to lyrical playing. The melodies are simple and easy to hear, while still challenging to play beautifully and musically. The book progresses from easy to moderately difficult in both technique and musicality. It also makes a great transposition tool. Dufresne, Gaston. Develop Sight Reading. Colin, 1972 The Dufresne book is designed to establish and refine the performer’s musical reflexes through sight-reading. The 54 etudes are 1-2 pages each. Etudes should simply be read, not practiced; and several weeks should elapse before the student sees the same etude again. The daily practice of sight-reading accessible melodies helps the trumpeter begin to develop instincts in melodic phrasing and harmonic movement. Gates, Everett. Odd Meter Etudes. Sam Fox Publishing, 1962 Filling a gap in the etude literature, this book introduces 7/8, 10/8, 5/4, 8/8, 9/8, 5/8, and more. Each etude is annotated to give the player a better understanding of what the composer wants. The book produces clear improvement in students’ sight-reading, as well as firm and immediate grasp of pulse and meter. Getchell, R. Second Book of Practical Studies. Belwin, 1948 The second of a two-book volume, Getchell explores the foundations of rhythm, as well as discussing how to formulate a warm-up routine. Included are rapid dotted rhythms, triplets, syncopation, 3/8 and 6/8. The etudes should be practiced initially with minimal musicality, in order to emphasize exact rhythm and articulation. Goldman, E. F. Practical Studies