There’s no other musical instrument like the trumpet. Its bold, fearless sound has made it a favorite in bands and orchestras around the world, in classical music, jazz music, and beyond.
![Modern trumpet](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2015/06/Modern-trumpet.jpg)
Modern trumpet
Today, we’re celebrating legendary players, teachers, composers, and writers, all sharing their wit and wisdom about the trumpet.
Let’s go!
Hit it hard, and wish it well.
– Trumpeter and teacher Claude Gordon, on playing the trumpet
I know what the power of silence is. When I used to play in clubs, everybody was loud; there was a lot of noise. So I would take my mute off the microphone, and I would play something so soft that you could hardly hear it… and you talk about listening.
– Trumpeter and jazz musician Miles Davis, as quoted in Jazz-Rock Fusion: The People, the Music, by Julie Coryell and Laura Friedman
Miles Davis – So What
The majority of people who keel over dead at concerts are killed by a long trumpet passage.
– Writer and radio personality Garrison Keillor, We Are Still Married
Trumpets are a bit more adventurous; they’re drunk! Trumpeters are generally drunk. It wets their whistle.
– Singer-songwriter Paul McCartney, Playboy Magazine
![Marsalis at the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center Seventh Annual Jazz Festival in 2009](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2024/04/Wynton_Marsalis_2009_09_13.jpg)
Marsalis at the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center Seventh Annual Jazz Festival in 2009 © Wikipedia
Everything you ever had, everything you ever lost. It’s all there in the trumpet–pain and hate and trouble and peace and quiet and love.
– Novelist Ann Petry, “Solo on the Drums”
A lot of the musicians asked me if when I hit my high-Cs on the records I had a clarinet take the notes. Some [thought] I had invented some kind of gadget so I could play high register. They weren’t satisfied until they handed me a trumpet that they had with them and had me swing it. Then they cheered.
– Trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong, as quoted in The Sax & Brass Book by Tony Bacon and Paul Trynka.
Louis Armstrong “When The Saints Go Marching In” on The Ed Sullivan Show
O Music! Miraculous art! A blast of thy trumpet and millions rush forward to die; a peal of thy organ and uncounted nations sink down to pray.
– Writer and British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Contarini Fleming
The nerves are a problem on the trumpet because when you mess up, everyone can hear it. Just remember most people are too polite to say anything about it. That should calm your nerves.
– Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis
![Paul McCartney in 2021](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2024/04/Paul_McCartney_2021_cropped.jpg)
Paul McCartney © Wikipedia
Playing the trumpet is hard because it is so easy.
– Charles Schleuter, former principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony
As long as I have teeth, I’ll keep playing. You can’t play trumpet without teeth.
– Jazz trumpeter Lionel Ferbos to USA Today, 2011
I just learned my lyrics and tried not to bump into the trumpet player. That was my philosophy.
– Singer Jo Stafford
The trumpet is an extremely difficult instrument. It feels and reacts differently to the player each and every day.
– Trumpeter and composer Allen Vizzutti
Allen Vizzutti – Carnival of Venus
I love the sound of the distant bugle call in the countryside in early morning
I love to be pushed in busy crowds
I love the sound of gongs and trumpets along the streets
I love circus performances
I even wish to die in this moment of glorious encounter.
– Poet Ai Qing, “Jintian”
Trumpet players are just belligerent, and cocky, and you know, just hard-headed.
– Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, as quoted on https://notesfromthebackrow.com/
Playing the trumpet is such an intangible experience. The player is compelled to start from the beginning and build anew each day… It isn’t like building a house, where we resume where we left the previous accomplishments. Each new day we must rebuild the foundation of our musical structure.
– Orchestral trumpeter Armando Ghitalla
When the lip muscles are working well for you, stop! Feel them and memorize as best as you can, that feeling.
– Trumpeter Bobby Shew
![Trumpeter Bobby Shew](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2024/04/BobbyShew-sq.jpg)
Bobby Shew © finearts.uvic.ca
My general comment again would be for a player to understand that the fundamental with which you play the instrument – how beautiful your sound is and how smooth your airflow is and how supported the sound is – is the fundamental for going up. Then you need to learn to manipulate the aperture. And also tongue placement helps: high and forward to create the quick air, like a garden hose with the nozzle open.
– Trumpeter and composer Allen Vizzutti, from this interview below:
The hardest part of playing the trumpet is the physical act of making the sound.
– Trumpeter and composer Tom Harrell
The first jazz musician was a trumpeter, Buddy Bolden, and the last will be a trumpeter, the archangel Gabriel.
– Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, as quoted in the Washington Post, April 1998
For more of the best in classical music, sign up for our E-Newsletter