First Book of Trumpet Solos: Trumpet & Piano Book

Wallace curates pieces that let trumpet players discover their voice through music that actually matters. The mix ranges across centuries and styles, from Bach chorales to Janacek folk dances, so students aren't grinding through dry exercises but inhabiting real musical worlds. The arrangements sit comfortably in the trumpet's sweet range while the piano part remains genuinely musical, making rehearsals feel collaborative rather than transactional.

A tour through musical history that never feels academic. You move from the introspection of a Chopin prelude to the cheerful stomp of early jazz influences, discovering how the trumpet fits into the classical canon while also claiming its own character. The writing is always singable and expressive, never showy for its own sake.

Intermediate trumpet students ready to move beyond method books and early solos into real repertoire that demands musicianship alongside technical control. This collection bridges the gap between student material and professional audition repertoire, making it equally valuable for advancing high school players and early college-level study.

• Shape the Chopin Prelude with long-line phrasing from the piano; resist the urge to subdivide and let the accompaniment guide your breath placement.
• In the folk songs and lighter character pieces (Stoke's Stomp, Can-Can), anchor the rhythm with the pianist rather than pushing ahead; the ensemble lock is what makes these sparkle.
• Approach the Bach chorales as if singing them; these arrangements deserve the same vocal legit of a choir piece, so attend to text-like phrasing even though there are no words.
• Mark your dynamics sparingly in early rehearsals and listen to how the piano articulates before committing to your own attack and release choices.

Extract individual pieces for student recitals throughout the year, using the variety to match each student's emerging artistic voice. Program an arrangement of Scottish folksongs in a pops concert or chamber music festival. The sheer range of styles and periods makes this invaluable for building a custom recital that feels cohesive rather than random.

• Phrasing across different musical idioms (Baroque counterpoint, Romantic expression, folk idiom, light character pieces)
• Stylistically appropriate articulation and ornamentation
• Ensemble listening and flexibility with a single accompanist
• Tone control and resonance in the trumpet's middle register across various dynamic levels
• Sight-reading of moderate difficulty with mixed meter and key centers