MEI-Trumpet is an educational web application developed to help music students learn proper fingering and sound production techniques on trumpet. Click HERE to try MEI-Trumpet now!
Features
The app provides customizable exercises where users can specify the metronome value and the desired note range:
Each exercise is structured in three steps:
- The first measure is a rest, allowing the student to prepare.
- The second measure plays a reference note, offering an example to imitate.
- The third measure is for the user to play the note.
On the top of the screen, an image showing the correct trumpet fingering, including adjustments for the third valve slide, is displayed. This helps students easily associate the note shown on the musical staff with the corresponding pitch and valve combination.
Other features include the option to add a chromatic tuner and dynamic markings (p, mf, f), expanding the possibilities of different exercises that can be created within the interface. Users can optionally register via email to track their progress, with performance data collected to help monitor improvement over time.
Research Background
MEI-Trumpet is part of a research project led by Alberto Acquilino at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, in collaboration with the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF). Ongoing studies aim to further define the pedagogical foundations of the interface and discuss its usability and social validity through groups of participants.
The source code for the app is publicly available here.
MEI-Trumpet is available as a free beta version for both web and mobile devices, including iOS and Android.
