By Jove, I think I've got it!

Managed a C scale (Bb scale, really) today. It's not so hard, after all.

Unfortunately, it was after the elderly couple that lives downstairs and across the hall came up and had a go at me for "making noise". They may be elderly, but he can be somewhat aggressive and used to be a martial arts trainer. I've always gotten along with him, but he's told me about his military experiences, so I am somewhat wary of him, although he does not have very kind words for the people who were in charge at the time.

He wasn't physically threatening, but demanded that I stop playing entirely and quoted all sorts of fictional rules "proving" that it's not allowed, e.g., that it would only be allowed if I required it for making my living. I belong to the national tenants' organization, so I happen to know that it is most definitely allowed, and when and how much one can practice. I was extra, extra friendly, but they were apparently not prepared to compromise. Perhaps they'll come around, if I can play more quietly.

For the first couple of years after I moved in, he was constantly renovating and he made lots of noise hammering, sawing, drilling, etc., and also used very smelly adhesives in the basement and didn't air out the stairwell properly. It seems that the people who make the most disturbance themselves are often the least tolerant when someone else makes one.

Nonetheless, I am on my way to buy a practice mute and will try to keep the amount of noise down. Ironically, after we'd had our little discussion, I found I was able to make more controlled sounds and play more quietly.

I can see that the embouchure will require some considerable work and I will need to develop my mouth musculature.

I knew about the not puffing out the cheeks part. I took cornet lessons briefly in grade school.

The points about the teacher are well-taken. I've argued about this topic on another message board, and I know I'm in the minority and don't expect to convince anyone. If I think I'm damaging myself, I'll stop. I _like_ trying to figure out how to play an instrument myself. It's fun for me. I really, genuinely can't afford regular private lessons and I absolutely _hate_ group lessons. I thought about it for quite awhile before I finally decided to buy the trumpet. I might look into going to someone for a couple of lessons.

The spit valves aren't dribbling and they've got seals. It's the holes at the bottom of the valves one presses, and they don't dribble, they leak out when held against my shirt (which I will try not to do).

I don't mind to much about spit on my (wooden) floor. I try to get it onto a rag, but I just wipe it up if I miss. The recorders leak, too.