Customer Reviews

Arban's Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet (Cornet) or Eb Alto, Bb Tenor, Baritone, Euphonium and Bb Bass in Treble Clef

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a trumpet player of 23 years experience, and the Arban book is the "bible" for every trumpet player. It's focus is on "disciplined" music, and can give you a good baseline for moving into improv. Many clinic and all-state tryout pieces came out of this book tried by time. It would take years to master its total contents. I was playing "new" pieces out of it last night! It will also help keep you from buying dozens of etude books. The book is very methodical with each section introduced in several languages. There is no player who won't be challenged by it's content. It will carry you from middle school through college and waaaaaaaaay beyond. Looking for some of it's inspiration? Check out Wynton Marsalis' "Carnival" CD on Amazon!

The Arban's Conservatory Method for trumpet is truly the trumpeter's bible. If you practice this book hard you will become good. That is how great player Wynton Marsalis became how he is today. Buy it. Use it. Love it.

I am a trumpet player, but I also play french horn, euphonium, tuba, trombone, piano, and quitar. In other words, music is my breath and I reccomend this book to everyone who wants to get better at any brass instrument. No matter how good you are, this book will make you better. It will improve your range, style, tone quality, and rhythm. Use the etudes to practice tounging, slurs, rhythms, and reange. The more you do, the better you will get. This is THE brass textbook. I also reccomend 40 progressive etudes (studies) for trumpet by Sigmund Hering. In addition to this book, that book will give you some fun exercises and it will really show your progress. I reccomend both of these books as must-haves for every brass player.

I'm a part-time pro trumpet player and have been playing the trumpet for nearly 20 years. The Arban's book is a necessity for all trumpet players, especially students and should be used by all trumpet players regardless of experience.

The book coves all aspects of trumpet fundamentals and techniques. I think the book is arranged well and you can choose a few exercises from each section to play on any given day. Plus if you feel like working on actual songs, you can play the songs or etudes in the back. It's also useful for brushing up on some techniques that you may use only once in a while like triple-tonguing.

I believe that Arban's should be used in conjunction with other trumpet technique books that specialize in certain aspects of playing. For example, I use Max Schlossberg's Daily Drills and Technical Studies for development of flexibility. I would also recommend Herbert L. Clarke's Technical Studies. However, if I had to have just one trumpet book, it would be Arban's.

I would recommend getting the book spiral bound, as my Arban's is covered in all types of tape. A previous reviewer said that the Arban's wasn't her trumpet bible - I'm willing to bet she stinks at playing the trumpet because of it.

USE ARBAN'S!

As a professional trumpeter and trumpet instructor, I've found no other book that even approaches the Arban. From Doc Severinsen to Maurice Andre to Chris Botti and every kind of trumpeter in between, this is the book that created a foundation for all of them. Reading the other reviews here, I understand that (with exception of the characteristic studies, duets, and solos in the back of the book) this is a book of exercises. In fact, it's sort of a "Sears catalog" of trumpet exercises. And no, exercises are usually not very interesting or fun. However, it's the gains you make from the exercises that matter, and most kids age 12 and up actually appreciate the structure and routine. Once students have a correct embouchure, range to the top of the staff and basic articulation, they should move on to the Arban book. The sky is the limit from there.

I have had my Arban's since I began playing the trumpet. My copy was passed down to me by my band director Mr. Kilmury who was also a trumpeter. He told me upon giving it to me that I was to cherish it and learn from it because it was like the bible of trumpet playing. To this day those words hold true. Arban's has everything a trumpet player needs to help them from the beginning onto professional playing. My copy is old now and falling apart... but I still play from it and hold it dear to my heart.

If you are a trumpeter, buy this for yourself. If you know a trumpet player, surprise them with a copy of this. Believe me they will thank you for it.

I've been using Arban's for years and love it. It has every conceivable, technical exercise for trumpet/cornet. However, a 12 or 13 yr. old will never continue playing only scales and exercises? Never! This book is overwhelming for younger players and should be consulted as the maturity increases, never used alone (unless you expect your child to quit). As an adult trumpet player, I consult Arban's for technical exercise training, but I too would go mad if this were all I had to play. Fisher's 40 Progressive Etudes, lip flexibility books and yes, lots and lots of sheet music that is fun to play!

Yes, it's a pain to haul around a giant book with you every time you want to practice. But there is simply nothing else like it for quality. I used it in high school when I wanted to improve my skills and I am using it now that I want to get them back. If you only buy one trumpet book, this is the one to buy.

There is a lifetime of learning to be had from between the covers of Arban. The name MEANS trumpet (or cornet). There are etudes, exercises, scales, ornaments, many, many classic and popular melodies and duets, advanced material. I've only been playing 1-1/2 years and only recently bought the Arban; so I've only scratched the surface Still, I'm enjoying it, using it with my teacher and, I believe, I'll be using it as long as I play the instrument. There are nearly 400 pages of material. All I would wish for is larger print, but then, I'm an older player and the eyes aren't what they used to be. Here's something useful to do: take it to Staples office supplies and have them spiral bind it so the pages lie flat. They do it for under $6.00! I think it's a great deal.
I should probably also add that the Carl Fischer is the definitive edition, edited by Goldman and Smith and annotated by Claude Gordon.

Simply stated, all students of the trumpet should own (and use) this book. Arban was one of the finest cornet players of all time. Here, in a telephone book-sized manual, his legacy lives on. There is nothing, "overnight" or "within minutes" about this book and it will not magically transform a hack on a banged-up King into a Professional Orchestral Instrumentalist. However, it provides much of what is required for a serious student to become a proficient and even masterful technical player. All students, right down to beginners, should have this book within reach. Go ahead and buy your child the Rubank series, but don't forget to buy the Arban's!