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Intermediate trumpet sheet music for "Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey, in A minor at about 91 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Trumpet Sheet Music for "Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey

Preview of the intermediate trumpet sheet music arrangement for “Desert Rat” by Michael Murphey.

Desert Rat by Michael Murphey
Trumpet Sheet Music

B transposingTreble clefMid-staff range

The trumpet part reads from treble clef, arranged to sit naturally for the instrument. It is a B♭ transposing instrument.

Difficulty

Intermediate

For players comfortable with the basics.

Inside the music
Signature

Music DNA

Genrecountry · folk · Americana
Moodnostalgic · melancholic · reflective
Signatureold desert storyteller, dusty road ballad
A minor
Key
91
BPM
3/4
Time
Chords

The progression

Am
C
G
A7
D
Em7
F
Gmaj7
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroVerseChorusVerseChorusBridgeChorusOutro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

acoustic guitar
fingerpicked, warm, front‑center
vocals
male lead, warm, slightly weathered timbre, storytelling style, clean delivery
electric bass
steady, supportive, low‑mid presence
steel guitar
melodic, sliding lines, adds twang and emotional color
drums
light, brushed or soft kick/snare, subtle hi‑hat
electric guitar
clean, lightly overdriven, occasional melodic fills
Album & artist
ALBUM

Blue Sky - Night Thunder (1975)

Murphey's fourth studio album, it produced two major singles, the platinum-certified 'Wildfire' and 'Carolina in the Pines', and reached number 18 on the Billboard album chart. Members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played on several tracks, and the record went on to sell around 800,000 copies in the US.

All of Blue Sky - Night Thunder
Artist

Michael Murphey

Michael Martin Murphey is a singer-songwriter from Texas, born in 1945, who helped shape progressive country in the early 1970s. His music draws on country, folk, and the traditions of the American West, and later in his career he became a leading figure in the cowboy music revival. He has charted hits across pop, country, and adult contemporary formats over more than five decades.

All Michael Murphey songs
How it works

From a recording to your part in three steps

  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

    Paste a YouTube link or upload an audio file, the studio cut, a live take, or a cover.

  2. Step 2
    We transcribe it

    Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for trumpet, at your chosen level.

  3. Step 3
    Play & export

    Read it on screen, transpose, slow it down, and export the sheet music when it feels right.

Ready to play it?

Start from any recording, your trumpet sheet music in minutes.

FAQ

Good to know

What key is "Desert Rat" in?

"Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey is in A minor.

What is the tempo of "Desert Rat"?

"Desert Rat" plays at around 91 BPM in 3/4 time.

What chords are in "Desert Rat"?

The core progression is Am, C, G, A7, D, and Em7, built around the A minor tonal center.

What instruments play on "Desert Rat"?

The recording features acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, steel guitar, electric guitar, and vocals.

Can I get "Desert Rat" trumpet sheet music?

Yes. This is the intermediate trumpet sheet music arrangement of "Desert Rat" by Michael Murphey, transcribed by Songscription.

Is "Desert Rat" trumpet sheet music easy to play?

"Desert Rat" trumpet sheet music comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 91 BPM in A minor with 13 chords to navigate, the part sits at a comfortable intermediate level. You can switch levels on this page before you save it.

Is there an easy, beginner version of "Desert Rat" trumpet sheet music?

Yes. The beginner trumpet sheet music for "Desert Rat" simplifies the busiest passages and rhythms while keeping the melody, so it is the easiest way to start. The intermediate and advanced arrangements are one tap away when you want more of the original.

What album is "Desert Rat" on?

"Desert Rat" appears on Blue Sky - Night Thunder (1975).

How does Songscription turn a song into sheet music?

Give it a recording, a YouTube link or an audio file, and its AI transcribes that performance into notation for the instrument and level you choose.

Can I get sheet music for a live or cover version?

Yes. The score is generated from whatever recording you pick, so a live take, a remix, or a cover each match that exact performance.

What instruments and formats are available?

Piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, sax, bass, drums, vocals and more, as standard sheet music, a piano roll, or guitar tabs.

Is Songscription free to use?

You can try it free, with no credit card needed.

Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?

Yes. You get a downloadable PDF, plus in-app playback and the option to transpose or adjust the arrangement before you print.

How accurate is the transcription?

It is produced by AI trained on millions of bars of music, and you can play it back and fine-tune any details before you download.

Is this transcription licensed?

Yes. We have licensed this track from its publisher, so we are permitted to transcribe it and provide the sheet music to you.

Transcribed from licensed catalogs by AI trained on millions of bars of music.

Made with in California.