How do I bugle?

[Gay Bird 421]

Well I just spent the most impulsive 20 bucks I've spent in a while, and now I have one more thing to carry home on the plane, but I don't think I'll regret getting myself a bugle. I want to learn how to play it, and I've been able to make one note that doesn't sound awful. Anyway, does anyone have some tips or resources to help me learn to play? Thanks!

[Zygen 6,066]

Well, i have honestly never played a bugle, however i do play trumpet. Which is similar. 

 

Really as far as I know, bugle just doesn't have valves and can only play 1 partial series. 

 

Its hard for me to give you much as far as teaching I guess, as far as regular trumpet playing goes alot of it is in the way your lips are placed. and how wide the space is between your lips.

 

Its hard to explain how to play frankly, because i kinda just do it.

 

However i will say that you want to make sure you don't apply pressure on the mouthpiece with your lips. Only apply the amount of pressure you need for a buzz, when going up notes don't apply extra pressure, because thats a bad habit that will make your sound quality suffer, aswell as tiring you out more, and even causing some issues in the future possibly with your teeth alignment.

 

As far as how wide your lips should be, thats really hard to explain, it just kinda comes to you have you learn.

 

Just try not to apply extra pressure, or else you'll be playing habit breaking games later on.

 

Its also much easier to correct when someone can see you, maybe if you have someone you know whos a good brass player, preferably trumpet, to check your position of your lips and everything.

 

Other then that, lots of breath, take good breaths from your diaphragm, don't raise your shoulders when you breath, and make sure you play full sounds by using lots of air, even when playing quiet.

 

It shouldn't involve to much else that I can think of right now really, seeing as its only one partial series, just practice and practice, because practice makes perfect!

 

Good luck! If you have any more specific questions i'll try my best to answer, i'm a trumpet player, while i'm not any kind of amazing trumpet player, i do know how to play trumpet, which is more or less a bugle that has valves, allowing it to play many more notes.