James Stamp is one of the most influential trumpet teachers of the last century. His method is still used by professional musicians, conservatories, and teachers worldwide. At first glance, Exercise #1 looks simple but don’t let its simplicity fool you.

This exercise is about building the control that makes you playing easier.

What’s the purpose of this exercise?

Before playing any exercise, ask yourself:

What am I practicing?

Exercise #1 develops:

Lip flexibility
Smooth harmonic changes
Air control
Sound consistency
Relaxation
Coordination between air and embouchure
Intonation awareness

Understanding it, helps you practice with the right intention instead of simply repeating the notes.

Exercise Analysis

The exercise follows a simple pattern:

Start with a long, relaxed note.
Slur between nearby harmonics.
Return to the starting note.

Mastering small movements creates the foundation for larger slurs later.

The Biggest things to paying attention to:

1. Playing within a soft dynamic range (not more than mf)
2. Keep the sound comfortable and relaxed.
3. Keep the airflow active
4. Think of the exercise as one whole phrase.
5. Moving the jaw in order to “find the note”
6. Playing the wrong rhythm or too fast or too slow
7. Chasing the highest notes

How to Practice It

Take a relaxed breath
Start with a full, centered sound
Keep the airflow consistent
Maintain the same sound quality throughout
Stay relaxed throughout the whole exercise
Finish asking yourself if, each of the previous points, were better or worse then the previous execution

What should you listen for?

Ask yourself:

Does my sound stay consistent?
Is the airflow continuous?
Are the slurs smooth?
Am I pushing the mouthpiece harder or is it comfortable to play?
Are my shoulders relaxed?
Can I imagine the next note before I play it?

Practice it in all seven positions

James Stamp repeats this exercise through the seven different positions:

Final thought

If your slurs became smoother, easier, and your sound stayed more consistent, and you finished with greater control than when you started, the exercise achieved its purpose.

Here is the full play along for Bb trumpet: