The Trumpet 

What is a trumpet:
A trumpet is a musical instrument. It is the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BC. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound that starts a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the instrument. Since the late 15th century they have primarily been constructed of brass tubing, usually bent twice into a rounded oblong shape.

Construction:

The trumpet is constructed of brass tubing bent twice into a rounded oblong shape.As with all brass instruments, sound is produced by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound into the mouthpiece and starting a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the trumpet. The player can select the pitch from a range of overtones orharmonics by changing the lip aperture and tension (known as the embouchure). The mouthpiece has a circular rim, which provides a comfortable environment for the lips' vibration. Directly behind the rim is the cup, which channels the air into a much smaller opening (the back bore or shank) that tapers out slightly to match the diameter of the trumpet's lead pipe. The dimensions of these parts of the mouthpiece affect the timbre or quality of sound, the ease of playability, and player comfort. Generally, the wider and deeper the cup, the darker the sound and timbre.

History:

The earliest trumpets date back to 1500 BC and earlier. The bronze and silver trumpets from Tutankhamun's grave in Egypt, bronze lurs from Scandinavia, and metal trumpets from China date back to this period.Trumpets from the3rd millennium BC of Central Asia have decorated swellings in the middle, yet are made out of one sheet of metal, which is considered a technical wonder.

How to position your trumpet:

The fingers of the left hand should grip the instrument so that the first and little fingers support most of the weight. The two middle fingers operate the third valve slide (one pushes out and the other pulls back in). Be sure that only about a half inch of the ring finger is inserted through the ring. The left thumb is placed in the first valve slide saddle, again by only about a half inch. The palm of the hand should not be pressed tightly (if at all!) against the valves.

how to play the trumpet?

inhale through your mouth, assume the proper lip position, put the instrument up to your lips, and blow.  You should feel your lips change tightness as they lock into a note. After playing your first note, try tightening your lips slightly and pushing down valves one and two. Note that valves are numbered one through three. Valve number one is closest to you, and valve number three is toward the bell of the horn. The note should be higher.