Trumpet Rubric

A Rubric For Trumpet Players

	4	3	2	1
	Exceeding	Meeting	Approaching	Beginning
Posture	Student sits on the edge of the chair, back is straight, feet are flat on the floor. The mouthpiece is "brought to the embouchure", and the trumpet angle is appropriate all of the time.	Student sits on the edge of the chair, back is straight, feet are flat on the floor. However, the student may have difficulty maintaining the correct posture throughout the performance.	Student sits on the edge of the chair but "hunches". The embouchure may be brought to the horn, making for an awkward position. The bell may be pointing towards the floor.	Student does not sit on the edge of the chair it's obvious that the player is not focused on his/her posture. Posture is not straight
Hand Position	Hand is held in a natural "C" Position. Fingers remain flexible and fluid throughout performance with no tension. Left hand position has thumb behind the first valve and ring finger through the third valve slide.	Student uses proper hand position. Fingers on right hand may appear to be rigid in some instances. Right hand position is often in a "C" position, but player has difficulty maintaining over longer periods of time.	Student's hand position is inconsistent or not shaped in a natural "C" position but the fingers are over the valves. The student may not be using finger TIPS on the valves. Left hand position is inconsistent.	Fingers may be lifting off the keys as student plays. Left hand is not holding the trumpet correctly.
Embouchure	Student uses very good breath support. Mouth is placed as if saying "Mm." Teeth are pencil width apart. Corners are firm, but the lips in the centre are relaxed. Then mouthpiece is centered or only slightly off center. Resulting sound is consistent and strong, with some pinching only in the higher registers.	Student uses very good breath support. Mostly it is placed as if saying "mm." Teeth are pencil width apart. Corners are firm, but the lips in the centre are relaxed. Mouthpiece is centered or only slightly off center. Resulting sound is consistent and strong with some inconsistencies in the low register and pinching in the high register.	Student uses some breath support, but may be chest breathing resulting in insufficient support. Teeth are apart. Mouth is placed as if the student is saying "mm." Corners are firm but lips in centre may be tight and the resulting buzz may be inconsistent. The sound is not characteristic of the instrument in most registers.	The embouchure is off centre and breath support is insufficient. Cheeks may also be puffed.
Tone Quality	Student uses appropriate air speed and lip pressure, producing a sound that is pure and sustained for the notes of the low, middle, and high registers. Tone has a professional quality.	Tone is focused, clear and centered through the normal range of the instrument. Extremes in range cause tone to be less controlled. Tone quality typically does not detract from the performance.	Student uses appropriate air speed to produce a sound that is pure and sustained for the notes of the middle register but inconsistent with the notes of the low and high registers. Tone may appear stuffy or pinched in these registers.	Student uses air that is too fast , producing a sound that is "blaring" or uses air that is too slow producing a sound that is "breathy".