April 2013 – Trumpet Blog

Everything Goes ‘Round In Circles

written by Bruce Chidester on April 29, 2013

To quote one of my favorite singers, Billy Preston, everything goes ‘round in circles And so does the history of this cornet. Once upon a time in the city or Waterloo, Iowa, a young seventh grade boy worked odd jobs and regularly delivered over 100 newspapers in order to save enough money to purchase his new Bach Stradivarius Cornet to play in his school band. The year was 1956 and the price of the instrument was a staggering $300 which in that day ways a great deal of money. The young man played his cornet for the next three years…

Tromba Mundi

written by Bruce Chidester on April 27, 2013

About Tromba Mundi Founded in 2007 for the sole purpose of the exploration, promotion and performance of new works for trumpet ensemble,Tromba Mundi has recorded several world premiere compositions and continues to commission new music for the genre. Tromba Mundi is dedicated to drawing the attention of students, professionals and brass music aficionados to the thrilling sounds of the trumpet ensemble! Each member of the ensemble is a professional performer and pedagogue from various universities across the United States. Members have performed frequently with ensembles such as the Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Summit Brass, New…

Top Ten Mistakes Trumpet Players Make

written by Bruce Chidester on April 25, 2013

We are creatures of habit and when it comes to playing trumpet, we all are guilty at least some of the mistakes listed below. I can say that I am guilty of most of them and through many years of teaching music, I have see all of them. Posting this list will not change the trumpet world for we are creatures of habit and bad habits will continue. The real reason I have listed these faults is to illustrate that even though you may have committed some of them, you are not unique, you’re just another trumpet player. My list…

Bugles Across America- Providing Free Live Taps to Honor the Veteran

written by Bruce Chidester on April 23, 2013

Mission Statement…from Tom Day, its Founder BAA was born in 2000 as a result of the Law being passed, stating that Every Qualified Veteran can have Military Funeral Honors. In short, at least two people to fold and present the flag and provide live Taps.With this in mind, Bugles Across America, a not for profit, was started. Government nfp forms were filed and we received an official IRS 501c3 number. This has been reviewed and renewed. BAA files a tax return with the IRS and the Atty.General of the State of Illinois. All returns are viewable at GuideStar During the…

Trumpet Tips Part 2- How To Use Straight Mute And Cup Mute

written by Bruce Chidester on April 21, 2013

In our continuing quest for the best information on playing trumpet, we sometimes run across some amazing material and I would like to say that this “IS NOT ONE OF THEM”. But sometimes we need to step back and take a very serious look at our area on interest and chill out a little. If you find this distructional video helpful, I would suggest you watch the Professor’s other video on The Trumpet’s Whisper Key.

Basic Maintenance Information For Your Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester on April 18, 2013

Sometimes we assume that all trumpet players are experienced at trumpet maintenance and forget that there are players just starting out, and for that reason I thought this would be helpful for our new recruits.

The King Has Passed

written by Bruce Chidester on April 16, 2013

You would have to be over 75 to have vivid memories of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra before Adolph “Bud” Herseth helped create the modern fame of one of the world’s great musical enterprises. For Bud — and everybody from lifelong colleagues to radio listeners who never saw him in person called him Bud — joined the CSO as principal trumpet in 1948, at 26 years old, and held that seat for an astonishing 53 years, staying on with the orchestra as principal emeritus for three more seasons and not retiring from the orchestra until just before his birthday in 2004.…

Teaching An Old Dog A New Trick

written by Bruce Chidester on April 14, 2013

Who said the old can’t learn from the young? I am living proof that the youth of today are far more resourceful than we give them credit. If you have ever been performing with an ensemble when someone trips over the extension chord and all of the bands lights go out, you have experienced the helplessness we have all experienced. There is nothing you can do to get back into the action and the show stops. It has happened to me on more than one occasion and little can be done to resolve the problem. You can have the most…

Derek Watkins- (1945 – 2013) You may not recognize the name, but you will recognize his work.

written by Bruce Chidester on April 6, 2013

How To Adjust Low D & C# To Play In Tune

written by Bruce Chidester on April 4, 2013