A Little Racial History

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I would like to thank a fellow trumpet player (*Michael Stewart* www.stewmuse.com) for sharing this video with us. There is more truth to this computer generated video than most will realize. As a person who had witnessed the “WHITES ONLY” years, sadness fills my heart for the injustice put upon the Black race for so many years. English translation: New York, 1930: Harry, a trimmer (barber) racist will change his attitude after discovering a magical trumpet. Set in the years following the great depression of the 29’s, at which time it originates the Swing (jazz style in which stressed Fletcher…

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Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Material on page 12 only

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Now that you have tried playing pedal tones for the first time or continued to play them, some may have questions as to how they can be played more easily. This post will cover the art of playing pedal tones and by our next post, you should be able to play with the best pedal players in the nation, or at least improve in this area. To make sure you are playing pedal tones correctly, we first need to check to see if your lips are in the correct position. To do this, place the mouthpiece to your lips and…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 1

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Now that you have your own Claude Gordon “Systematic Approach to Daily Practice” in front of you. Oh, you didn’t get yours yet? Well that’s why I posted the first lesson on my site. Some have ordered it and have not received it and some think they can take my class without getting the text. Thirty years teaching in a university has taught me that there are always those that try to cut corners and if you happen to be one, I’m going to keep an eye on you. We will begin the class by taking a look at Lesson…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today!

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What is HI-R-BY-A-THIRD? HI-R-BY-A-THIRD stands for How to Increase Your Range By A Third This is a new support group just for high note wimps like me and it begins Today! • If you are tired of having other trumpet players laugh at you when you miss the high note at the end of your solo, join our group. • If you have lost jobs because of your limited range and want to play in a higher chair in your section, join our club. • If you are envious of the other players who are able to perform a full…

When You Are Wrong, You Are Wrong

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I love it when someone proves me wrong. It tends to bring me back to earth and realize that even old people (especially old people) can learn a thing or two. In an earlier post, I questioned the quality and newness of any compositions created in the past few decades and today I was proven wrong. Enjoy this beautiful composition which includes some Stravinsky as well as electric guitar. Please excuse me now as I will have to remove the egg from my face. To the younger crowd, that means I was wrong. The composer’s program notes are included below…

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Inspiration or Complete Humiliation?

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Each day I practice my Clarke Technical Studies and slur up and down on my Advanced Lip Flexibilities exercises. Every day I play my long tones and range exercises. Then… I view a video of the “Good Guys” and I throw up my hands in despair. Yes, in the morning, I will be doing the same practice routine as I have for many, many years; knowing that it can be done even though I will never be able to do it as these “MONSTERS” illustrate. Feel free to leave comments for some will like this, some will not. But all…

No One Is An Island

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No one can succeed as a trumpet player without help from others. No matter how accomplished you have become, or how great you anticipate your future accomplishments, you will not become successful without the help of others. You may be spending countless hours in a small practice room practicing every etude known to man, yet you may be spending energy and time on the wrong exercises. Without help from others, your ability to play triple high “C’s” at tempi far beyond the speed of sound means nothing without help and guidance from others. I have listed below some of the…