Tuned In - Trumpet: Trumpet Method Book

Intonation work often feels like a chore, but Tuned In reframes it as genuine musicianship training. The comprehensive approach covering every major and minor key gives students the systematic exposure they need, while the inclusion of over 30 chorales transforms drill work into actual music-making. The free drone downloads remove the barrier for programs without access to expensive software, making this practical for any budget.

Straightforward and musical. The chorales provide enough harmonic interest to keep students engaged while the underlying work sharpens their ear and embouchure control. This is methodical, unadorned instruction that trusts musicians to understand why precision matters.

Trumpet players in concert bands at the intermediate level and above who need targeted intonation training, as well as directors seeking a structured, comprehensive resource that doesn't require expensive technology. This works equally well for full-section rehearsals and individual practice.

• Start with the drones in rehearsal before moving to exercises; let students hear the target pitch clearly before asking them to match it
• Rotate through keys systematically rather than staying in comfortable ones; students discover that their intonation challenges often live in specific registers or transpositions
• Use the chorales as warm-up material with full band sections; the block chord studies reveal balance issues that isolated trumpet work might miss
• Download the drone files to a portable device for on-the-go sectional work; consistency matters more than fancy equipment

Weave Tuned In into your weekly rehearsal structure as a standing warm-up rotation, spending two to three weeks in each key before moving forward. The systematic progression works well running alongside your regular repertoire, and the chorales integrate naturally into concert programming or sectional work.

• Matching pitch across major and minor keys
• Listening for and correcting interval intonation in context
• Reading and responding to block harmonic structures
• Sustained tuning across dynamic changes
• Identifying which intervals and registers present personal intonation challenges