Technic Today, Part 2: B-flat Trumpet (Cornet) Book

Ployhar's Technic Today series works because it aligns precisely with how intermediate players actually learn: focused daily work on the technical demands they're encountering in their band method, without overwhelming them with disconnected exercises. The 24-page format respects rehearsal time constraints while delivering measurable progress in tone, intonation, and articulation. Directors appreciate that this book bridges method and independence, preparing students to solve technical problems they'll face in concert repertoire.

Purposeful and grounded. These exercises feel like building blocks rather than busywork; every pattern serves a clear technical goal. The work is direct and satisfying, offering immediate feedback as players notice their facility increasing day to day.

Intermediate trumpet and cornet players working through Band Today, Part Two or any intermediate band method needing daily technical reinforcement. This book is equally valuable for players in their second or third year of study who want to build consistency across all registers without relying solely on their concert music.

• Rotate through the exercises systematically rather than cherry-picking favorites; the sequence builds coordination progressively across the range.
• Set a steady tempo for each exercise and resist the urge to rush through easier patterns; accuracy at controlled speed transfers far better to performance than racing.
• Isolate any exercise that connects to a troublesome passage in your current band music, then apply the same articulation and breath pattern during rehearsals.
• Record yourself on weeks 2 and 4 of focused work to track changes in tone quality and evenness; you'll hear improvements that feel subtle in real time.

Assign one or two exercises daily at the start of trumpet sectionals or private lessons, rotating through the book across the semester alongside your method book assignments. The material pairs naturally with Band Today, Part Two rehearsals, reinforcing the same concepts in a focused context outside of ensemble time.

• Long tone control and breath management
• Articulation consistency across registers
• Scale passages and interval accuracy
• Range extension and upper register facility
• Finger and tongue coordination
• Intonation awareness and adjustment