Journeys by Trumpet is a collection of short unaccompanied pieces, written to provide students with a steady progression through their studies.

The studies include as many aspects of musicianship as possible within each piece: dynamics, articulation, breath management phrasing etc., all of which should be carefully thought about and applied. They are also great for transposition practice – the early studies are more scalic, and in a comfortable register for transposing to higher keys.

There is a large element of performance and interpretation in these pieces, giving the player an opportunity to tell a story, or set a mood, rather than being just a technical exercise.

Whatever level you have achieved on your trumpet, there will be something for you in this selection of pieces, and we hope you enjoy playing them.

We are extremely indebted to Mr. Mark O’Keeffe, Principal Trumpet with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, for his brilliant recordings of these studies that you can listen to by clicking on the links below.

Journeys By Trumpet is lovely book of 16 unaccompanied studies for trumpet by Mark Elvin. From 1-16, the studies progress from Grade 1 to Grade 8 level. Every study in the book is an individual piece of music which is fun to play, has it’s own unique character and style, and has a tune or a melody that you’ll be whistling for days!
I heartily recommend this book for Trumpeters of all levels and abilities. Journeys By Trumpet is hugely enjoyable to play and which is an excellent tool for teaching- a gem!”

Christopher Deacon
Principal Trumpet- Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Professor of Trumpet- Guildhall School of Music and Drama

 

“One of my recent lockdown projects has been to record this brilliant book of unaccompanied pieces by Mark Elvin Journeys by Trumpet. The book has just been published and is a great addition to the trumpet repertoire covering Grade 1-8, lots of opportunity for the student to cover aspects of technique and musicality, also to get creative with transposition, dynamics, phrasing, dance rhythms and song, adaptable to be played on Bb, C, D, Eb and the ambitious piccolo trumpet player. Thanks Mark Elvin.”

Mark O’Keeffe                                                                                                                                                                   Principal Trumpet – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

 

You can also listen to the individual pieces here, and download them for £1.49 to £1.79 each

  1. START AND STOP
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2. TOO MUCH RUM FOR THE PIRATE

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3. ARE WE THERE YET?

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4. THE FLEA

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5. ROLLERCOASTER

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6. JIGGIN’

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7. SACRED SPIRIT

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8. CARNIVAL TIME

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9. HEMIOLA WALTZ

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10. ECHO SAMBA

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11. STEALTHY APPROACH

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12. LONG JOHN SILVER’S WALTZ

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13. THE FLAME

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14. THE UNICYCLE

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15. THE LINE

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16. BOP-TASTIC

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