Grab your trumpet and play the following F major scale up and down, slowly.
This is the key in which the song "Yesterday" is played.
(The fingerings provided here correspond to a Bb trumpet)
Trumpet Fingerings:
Valve 1 corresponds to your index finger
Valve 2 corresponds to your middle finger
Valve 3 corresponds to your ring finger
F Major Scale:
[ F = 1 ] Valve 1 closed
[ G = 0 ] All valves open
[ A = 1 2 ] Valves 1 and 2 closed
[ Bb = 1 ] Valve 2 closed
[ C = 0 ] All valves open - faster lip vibration for higher pitch
[ D = 1 ] Valve 1 closed - faster lip vibration for higher pitch
[ E = 0 ] All valves open - faster lip vibration for higher pitch
[ F = 1 ] (An octave higher) Valve 1 closed - faster lip vibration for a higher pitch
Refer to the link under Resources for more information on fingerings and a sample of how a major scale sounds.
Listen to the song "Yesterday," and become familiar with the tune in the first section. Play it as many times as necessary until you can hum it.
Follow the sheet music and play the first three notes in Bar 3. See Resources for a link to download the sheet music for this song. The notes are G, F and F. Refer to the trumpet fingerings in Step 1, if necessary. Try to imitate the melody and make sure the duration of each note sounds as it does in the original recording of the song.
Practice the notes in Bar 3 several times until you feel comfortable with the sound. Proceed to the notes in Bar 4, Bar 5 and subsequently until Bar 9.
Only proceed when you feel confident with the advancement.
Focus on practicing those notes or intervals you find difficult. Once you have learned the melodic motif from Bar 1 to Bar 9, play along with the original recording of the song.
Become familiar with the F major scale
See fingerings provided in the first section.
Listen to a small section of the melody you wish to learn. For example, in the song "Yesterday," play the beginning of the melody repeatedly until you have it memorized.
Hum or sing the melody to yourself first. Don't attempt to play it on the trumpet if you don't have it memorized. You must be able to sing the melody aloud without listening to the recording.
Once you are familiar with the fingerings and the F major scale, attempt to play the first three notes of the song. Keep trying until you get it right.
If in doubt, give the song another listen and try to imitate that sound.
Proceed to the next notes of the melody when you feel confident with your advancement. Developing your ear will help you tremendously.