HOW TO PLAY VOICE TRUMPET - For Everyone!
Trumpet and uke sound great together, so give it a go!
Welcome back to Ukuleles Unanimous! What can be more fun than playing your ukulele? How about strumming your uke while playing the melody on a trumpet - using only your voice?!
Weâre talking mouth trumpet and artists such as the great Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), Lawrence âLipboneâ Redding, Victoria Vox and Yancarlos Sanchez have all incorporated mouth trumpet into their music.
What is Mouth Trumpet? đş
Mouth trumpet is exactly what it sounds like - imitating the sound of a trumpet using nothing but your mouth, lips, and a sprinkle of imagination. This vocal technique is also called âvoice trumpetâ âlip trumpetâ or âhuman trumpetâ. It first became popular in the 1920s but has recently made a major comeback.
It really is beatboxingâs jazz-loving cousin, and itâs been sneaking its way into jam sessions, live loops, and TikTok videos across the globe. You can do it too. Yes, even you!
Why Learn to Play Voice Trumpet?
It's fun - Like, embarrass-yourself-in-the-best-way fun.
It adds flair - Your uke cover of âFly Me to the Moonâ just got 100% smoother!
Itâs portable - Canât carry a trumpet in your pocket? Your mouthâs got you.
Itâs a party trick - Play a voice trumpet solo from âAint No Sunshineâ at a campfire. People will talk.
Letâs Break it Down
1. Find Your Buzz
This is the foundation of the mouth trumpet.
⢠Purse your lips like youâre about to give a tiny kiss.
⢠Hold your teeth slightly apart, close your lips and practise simply blowing air out through a small opening in your mouth.
⢠Now tighten your lips enough to make them vibrate (Donât stretch your mouth into a smile â try and keep your lips relaxed).
⢠Youâre aiming for a buzzy, raspberry-ish sound. Think "brrr" but with finesse.
2. Add Pitch With Your Vocal Cords
Now that youâve got the buzz, itâs time to control the pitch.
⢠Hum while buzzing. Yes, at the same time. Itâs a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly!
⢠The tone (sound quality) will change depending on how tightly your lips are closed.
⢠Experiment to find the right balance of lip tension and air flow.
⢠Start with basic notes: try going up and down a scale slowly.
đľ Top Tip
Try familiar tunes like âTwinkle Twinkleâ or âYou Are My Sunshineâ to lock in the pitch.
3. Shape Your Sound Like a Trumpet Player
Use your cheeks, tongue, and throat to modify tone.
⢠Puff cheeks slightly for a rounder, more trumpet-like timbre.
⢠Experiment with tonguing (yes, itâs a thing) - use "tuh" or "duh" to articulate notes.
⢠Cup your hands in front of your mouth and move them like a mute.
BoomđĽ instant jazz club vibes!
Human Trumpet + Ukulele = Magicâ¨
Try strumming a gentle ukulele chord progression and layering a mouth trumpet solo over it.
Good pairings:
⢠C Am F G with a soulful mouth trumpet solo.
⢠A reggae-style strum with staccato trumpet bursts.
⢠A loop pedal to build trumpet layers on your uke tracks.
Congratulations, youâre now a one-person ska band! đś
Final Steps to Mouth Trumpet Success
Practice in the shower - The acoustics will make you sound amazing.
Record yourself - Youâll be surprised how much you improve.
Stay hydrated - Dry lips = sad trumpet.
Donât be afraid to look silly - Youâre literally making brass noises with your face, embrace it!
Show Off Your Skills!
Your mouth trumpet will have a unique sound, just like your speaking and singing voice. Find yours and strum along!
Once youâve mastered the basics, tag us on IG or TikTok with your best mouth trumpet + uke combo. Bonus points for sunglasses and a fedora!
Until next time - keep smiling, buzzing, and being unapologetically weird!
Enjoyed this? Try our Popular Theme, Chord Chart Collection.
Happy Strumming đ
