Method Books

It deserves repeating -- a Mellophone is NOT a French Horn.  Therefore, French Horn method books are not appropriate for the Mellophone.  Face it -- the French Horn has a different range, a different focus and different capabilities.  You'll notice most of the recommended method books will be for cornet and trumpet.  Hey, there's no reason why a Mellophone can't have cornet-like technique!

• Arban's Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet:  The Granddaddy of all method books, and the one book you MUST have in your library.  If you could only own one book, this would be it.  It's got a ton of stuff in it, and it's all good.  I love the etudes at the end of the book!
• A Mello Catechism: A Guide to the World of Mellophones and Marching Horns. Dr. John Q. Ericson from Arizona State University has published the first ever book for the Mellophone! It contains lots of good information about the horn and it's use, as well as warm-ups and exercise. A must-have for all Mellophonists.

• Flexus: Trumpet Calisthenics for the Modern Improviser:  Don't let the word "Improviser" scare you -- this is not just for jazz.  There are some wonderful warm-ups and exercises in this book to get any good Mellophonist in shape.

• The Allen Vizzutti Books: which include:
  

  • The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method, Book 1 (Technical Studies)
  • The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method, Book 2 (Harmonic Studies)
  • The Allen Vizzutti Trumpet Method, Book 3 (Melodic Studies)
  • New Concepts for Trumpet: Innovative Etudes, Duets and Studies

• Technical Studies for Cornet by Herbert L. Clarke: You want exercises?  You want flexibility?  This is from where it all stems.  A good companion is the Clarke Characteristic Studies.

• Superstar Etudes:  From Wayne Downey's XtremeBrass website come these volumes of etudes, formerly offered individually through the Etude of the Month series.  These are some excellent etudes.  Keep a watch on the site, as he usually adds more.
• The Charlie Parker Omnibook:  Get the one for B-flat instruments.  If you don't expect to play jazz, these are still excellent etudes.  If you do expect to play jazz, these will teach you the vocabulary necessary.
• 40 Preludes by J.F Gallay:  Actually, the Gallay etudes come in many different titles and flavors, but they're all basically the same.  You can find the same etudes listed as Celebrated Etudes or Unmeasured Etudes.  Ironically, in the foreword it states that they "were in some cases found to be pitched too high for the French Horn in F and for this reason, many horn players although regretfully, abandoned them."  Of course, they fit the Mellophone perfectly!