Any suggestions on playing ska music on the trumpet?

Question

Is there anything vital to the trumpet that gives it that ska sound? I don't play the trumpet but I am thinking about giving it a go but I wanna see if there is anything necessary or helpful to giving it that "ska" sound.

Answer 1

Well, what instrument do you play? It would be inadvisable to play ska on a totally new instrument.

As you might know, the instruments used for ska are typically guitar, bass, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. Do you already play any of those instruments?

As for the ska sound on trumpet, the ska trumpet usually is playing "above" every one else. It usually plays really high notes, that only people who have been playing for years can hit.

Also, what do you listen to? Many bands don't use the horn section a lot. But Streetlight Manifesto typically use a lot of horns. And they play in a minor key.

My suggestion, if you want to play trumpet, get a teacher of some sort to teach you. You're most likely not going to find one who teaches ska, but you must start somewhere.

If you really, really can't get lessons, my advice is to buy a good trumpet book, and a tuner. The book will give you lessons, and fingerings, and the tuner can help you find the right notes.