About: Basics Plus
“The biggest thing in music is how to listen”
David Friesen (*1942), jazz bassist
One day in class I had the idea to add a second voice to the basic exercises we were working on.
The students reacted to this in a remarkable way:
Their sound and intonation improved, and they played more freely and relaxed. I began writing down the exercises, and that's how "BASICS PLUS" came about, which was published by Rundel Verlag in 2004 and has since accompanied countless brass players around the world in their daily work.
The most important sense for us musicians is the ear. Focusing attention on one's own listening at the heart of practice has always been a goal of my teaching.
Above all, even the basics should not just be gymnastic exercises, but should be played with musical expression.
I was repeatedly asked to expand BASICS PLUS with a play-along track and explanations of embouchure techniques and mental aspects. This led to the creation of BASICS PLUS 4.0, which now features four-part exercises that can be played solo, in duets, trios, or quartets. The play-along track allows you to explore polyphony even when playing alone. This enables you to focus your attention on listening and your internal sound imagery, leading to a more natural approach to your playing.
So embark on this exciting journey and discover your potential. Learn to put Arnold Jacobs' SONG AND WIND principle into practice. You will find that you possess many abilities you haven't yet discovered.
Feedback on Basics Plus
BASICS PLUS
“The book’s presentation is unique and exemplary. I hope that this work will become standard equipment for all serious trumpeters, young and old, in the future!”
Dr. Edward H. Tarr
“A method for the basics that you can really work with every day.”
Prof. Hannes Läubin (Munich)
“Finally a set of etudes that addresses correct playing, tuning, balance and timing. It is the most efficient way to get ready to play with others. Bravo Wolfgang!”
Prof. Vince DiMartino,
International Trumpet Soloist
“BASICS PLUS is a wonderful work because Mr. Guggenberger gives an absolutely new look on daily exercises known to all trumpet players. Real basics! My congratulations!
My students at Saratov Conservatory, Russia, have this book
on the music stand every day."
Anatoly D. Selyanin (Professor of Saratov Conservatory, Russia)
“Wolfgang Guggenberger’s etude collection BASICS PLUS both challenges and fosters musical thinking and performance. The addition of a second part to the proven practice material proves very helpful for teaching. In combination with the concise, valuable playing instructions,
it provides experiences of fundamental importance for playing the trumpet. This book, with its high-quality content and exceptional design, is highly recommended for both beginners and advanced trumpet players.”
Martin Stefani (Landshut Music School)
“These exercises are now an indispensable part of my daily practice routine.”
Florian Klingler, Solotrompeter der Münchner Philharmoniker
"This superb new study book, Basics Plus from German publisher Rundel, gets strong recommendation from Steven Mead and euphonium.net."
Stephen Mead, Euphonium Soloist
„This method addresses very fundamental issues for the developing trumpeter. It improves tone, intonation, and ensemble sensitivity, the building blocks of a successful career. The method is very easy to understand and contains many important concepts which are presented in a user friendly way.”
Prof. James Thompson (Eastman School of Music)
"In his book BASICS PLUS, Wolfgang Guggenberger shows us not only what to practice, but above all how to practice. His instructions are very clear and will undoubtedly lead to better fundamental technique. I highly recommend this book to every trumpeter!"
Frits Damrow, Solotrompeter (Concertgebouw Orkest, Amsterdam / Zurich University of the Arts)
"Greetings from the University of Illinois! I wanted to once again thank you for your Basics Plus book and the great contribution this makes to all of our playing. Best to you!"
Ronald Romm, Founding member Canadian Brass (Professor of Trumpet, University of Illinois)
BASICS PLUS 4.0
"With the groundbreaking volume BASICS PLUS 4.0 in his BASICS PLUS series, Prof. Wolfgang Guggenberger puts the icing on the cake, thereby crowning his unique lifetime achievement in education.
This extremely comprehensive book is brimming with excellent practical exercises and resources, outstanding technical expertise, and a consistently evident attention to detail.
I am certain that his two great mentors, Vincent Cichowicz and Arnold Jacobs, would honor his work with a deep bow—and I am happy to join them in doing so here.
“Chapeau”, magnificent!!!"
Prof. Klaus Schuhwerk
(Basel University of Music / Frankfurt University of
Music, Theatre and Dance)
“Bravo and my highest praise for your method ‘Basics Plus 4.0’! All the essential aspects of learning and playing the trumpet are clearly summarized here with examples and illustrations, and the ability to play up to four parts together or use the playalongs makes the process highly motivating and enjoyable.
Your method provides a fantastic foundation and should be required reading for all brass players—not just trumpeters."
Prof. Matthias Höfs, International Trumpet Soloist
(Hamburg University of Music and Theater)
“With BASICS PLUS 4.0, the repertoire of trumpet pedagogy has gained another excellent book, and it has become an indispensable part of my teaching—just like the first BASICS PLUS!”
Prof. Florian Klingler
(Bruckner University Linz / Munich Philharmonic)
"Basics Plus 4.0 is a fabulous book that I think it points the way to the future. It has a myriad of exercises exploring the many areas of trumpet playing, technique, and musicality, and with the use of the numerous QR codes in the book the student can access videos, and play along tracks (in which parts can be muted if needed). I think this is a state-of-the-art book, and deserves to be in every trumpeter‘s trumpet teacher’s library."
Prof. em. Anthony Plog
(University of Music Freiburg)
"BASICS PLUS 4.0 brings together Wolfgang Guggenberger’s teaching experience, creativity, and musicality in a work that is an absolute must-read for every brass player! With the excellently recorded backing tracks, ‘practice’ becomes a pleasure.”
Michael Koch, trumpeter, composer, and music educator
creator of "flexibrass"
"Wolfgang Guggenberger’s new book offers wonderful exercises and impresses with its diverse content on intonation, articulation, ensemble playing, and dynamics. The exercises range across a wide spectrum of difficulty levels and are suitable for all skill levels. An exceptionally well-crafted book that conveys all the important aspects of wind instrument technique in a musical and practical way."
Ludwig Wilhalm, Music Schools of Upper Engadine and Überetsch,
Artistic Director of Brass Week Samedan Bozen Brass
"Basics Plus 4.0 by Wolfgang Guggenberger is a valuable addition to the world of trumpet playing. The method naturally and effectively combines technique, musicality, breathing, and sound conception to develop a free and relaxed style of trumpet playing. Particularly noteworthy are the excellently explained and focused exercise instructions, as well as the quartet exercises, which combine effectiveness with fun and motivation. Combined with his proven “Basics Plus” method, this creates an unbeatable complete package."
Sebastian Zech, Principal Trumpet of the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra Stuttgart University of Music