Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 1)

written by Bruce Chidester on April 19, 2024

For those not familiar with this condition, read the following- Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur many times during the night. The three main types of sleep apnea are: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing the airway to become partially or completely blocked. This obstruction leads to snoring, choking, or gasping for air as the individual struggles…

Trumpet Trends & News

Trumpet Tips

Trumpet High Range Development- Part 4….. “Will I ever be able to play a double high C”?

written by Bruce Chidester

If you have normal physical components- Yes If you are determined to practice properly to achieve this goal- Yes If your are patient enough to be satisfied with small, consistent increases over time- Yes If you are willing to accept bad days and cherish the good days- Yes If you…

Trumpet High Range Development- Part 3….. “What Method Books Have the Secrets to High Note Playing”?

written by Bruce Chidester

First of all, if these books have all the secrets, they are no longer secrets. Now down to facts. All high range methods are based on known features and how these features differ will explain why some techniques work and some don’t. I will discuss general categories which will help…

Trumpet High Range Development- Part 2…..”Why Can He/She Do It And I Can’t”?

written by Bruce Chidester

Click Below.. Do I have your attention? How about this one…… And don’t forget the Jazzers….. Doesn’t it make you want to hang it up? These kids are hitting notes I have only dreamed of. My encounter with one so gifted….. I began performing on my first Cornet when…

Required Listening Assignment

written by Bruce Chidester

As the interest in Trumpet choirs continues to grow, some ensembles seem to occupy the highest level of professionalism. Such is the case for the San Luis Obispo County Trumpet Alliance and their most accomplished director Warren Balfour. I have had the pleasure of knowing and following this remarkable ensemble…

Possibly The Most Difficult Record Copy Ever Made

written by Bruce Chidester

One of my all-time favorite Dixieland groups was Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen. A list of their successes in the early 1960s would include the following- Midnight in Moscow, The Green Leaves of Summer, Sukiyaki, Hello Dolly and When I’m Sixty- Four. But the most impressive recording in my opinion,…

How to Play a Low F in Tune

written by Bruce Chidester

Not often, but enough to learn this trick, we are asked to play a low F. Usually it is required by someone who knows nothing about our instrument or acceptable orchestration practices. Or, in the case recently, where I arranged a number which required the first trumpet to exceed what…

Trumpet Tips

Perfect Pitch and How You Can Develop It

written by Bruce Chidester

Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, is a rare and highly sought-after ability in the world of music. It refers to the ability to identify and reproduce any musical note without any reference point. This means that someone with perfect pitch can hear a note and immediately know its…

More Interesting Assumptions Proven and Disproven

written by Bruce Chidester

In our never ending quest for truths and the American dream, I came across this assertion which sounded very plausible, yet questionable. On one of the more popular trumpet bulletin boards I found a reference to a trick which apparently Mr. Armando Ghitalla was given credit. The writer mentioned in…

Trumpet Mouthpiece Placement

written by Bruce Chidester

“Where should I place my mouthpiece when I play my trumpet/cornet?” The placement of your mouthpiece can be affected in many ways. If you have scare tissue as I do, (a friend through a brick and hit me square on the chops) you will notice that the affected area does not…

Living in the Inseparable Worlds of Art, Music and Drama

written by Bruce Chidester

Choosing a title for this post was not easy for what I wished to describe is as fluid as an oil painting, as subtle as a string quartet and as emotional as a masterfully delivery text in a play. From a musical composer, transcriber, or arranger’s standpoint, the choice of…

Something You Might Have Missed on Facebook

written by Bruce Chidester

Trumpet Trends & News

March 9, 2023, An Evening to Remember

written by Bruce Chidester

When thinking back to memorable events in one’s life, some seem to have a special place in the corners of our memories. One such event now holds that special place in mine. The event was the Dallas Blows Cancer Away Concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Allow me…

Trumpet Tips

Features to Consider when Buying a Trumpet- Reprinted from Earlier Post

written by Bruce Chidester

When deciding on which trumpet/cornet to buy, there are a few guidelines that need to be addressed. The bottom line cost is one of the most obvious questions for most people. Unless you are interested in the ultimate, hand fitted, custom made, work of art, one of a kind horn,…