Natural Trumpet Tutor: Vol 1

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Chris Hasselbring and Nikolai Mänttäri's Natural Trumpet Tutor offers today’s trumpeters a practical and inspiring gateway into the rich tradition of the natural trumpet—an instrument that shaped centuries of music and is increasingly relevant in modern performance and education. It dispels the notion that the natural trumpet belongs only to early music specialists—presenting it instead as a rich, accessible tradition for all trumpeters.

Blending accessible pedagogy with historical and scientific insight, this book draws from 19th-century method books, centuries-old military signaling traditions, and contemporary approaches to the fundamentals. It offers meaningful opportunities for technical and musical growth—enhancing artistry while deepening understanding of both the foundations and the distinctive sound aesthetic of the orchestral trumpet. In doing so, it highlights a vibrant period when natural and valved trumpets stood side by side—just as they do again today.

Edited by Elisa Koehler, with a foreword by Terry Everson.

“The chapters on the harmonic series and on spectral enrichment offer clear and lucid explanations of often misunderstood topics. The treatments are illuminated by a deep knowledge of trumpet playing on both early and modern instruments. In particular, the discussion of the difference between short modern trumpets and natural trumpets—as experienced by a professional player—is a very valuable addition to the published literature on brass instruments."

Murray Campbell
Professor Emeritus of Musical Acoustics, University of Edinburgh

"This book is a thoughtful and much-needed resource that makes the natural trumpet meaningful for today’s players. Chris and Nikolai have done a beautiful job connecting historical tradition with modern pedagogy, offering a clear path for learning. I’m confident the Natural Trumpet Tutor will find its way into trumpet studios around the world."

Caleb Hudson
Trumpet soloist; Associate Professor of Trumpet, University of Texas at Austin

“I first discovered BFB Brass before my Mostly Mozart audition in 2019, and after acclimating quickly to their Baroque trumpet—and winning the audition—I began using it as a tool to ‘lock in’ fundamentals on my modern instruments. Even limited experience with the natural trumpet has elevated my playing, helping to solidify intonation, slotting, pitch, and articulation. The Natural Trumpet Tutor is a valuable guide for anyone beginning their journey with the natural trumpet, offering a wealth of material to support that same kind of growth.”

Raymond Riccomini
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Faculty, Mannes School of Music

The Natural Trumpet Tutor is an indispensable method, historical reference, and resource for anyone who wants to better their understanding and ability to play early music, regardless of experience. Most highly recommended!

Brian Shaw
Trumpet Soloist; Author and Educator in Modern and Historical Performance

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