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…

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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…

A great musician and a wonderful person to know.. we’ll miss you Steve

written by Bruce Chidester

Steven L Black (May 4, 1958 – December 16, 2013) Not often do we get to know such a wonderful person as Steve Black. In a business which is well known for petty jealousies and back stabbing, it is refreshing to come across one who is kind, patient and a…

Mouthpiece placement change

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time, students ask the question “Is my mouthpiece in the correct position”? To their teacher, this is the question most instructors try to avoid. The reason for their reluctance is that to change a student’s mouthpiece position means many unpleasant lessons both for the student as well…

Music Is Alive And Well In The Villages

written by Bruce Chidester

A good friend of ours shared some information about the musical activities in a well-known area known as The Villages, “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown”. The Villages is located in central Florida mid-way between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. It’s an hour north of Orlando near Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike,…

Speaking Of Christmas!

written by Bruce Chidester

Our sister site (trumpetensemblemusic.com) has added many new Christmas trumpet arrangements. You still have time to work them up before your big Christmas concert. We have improved our site to make it easier and quicker to download your PDF music files (about two minutes). Here are just a few of…

“Trumpets In Concert” – Have A Very Mellow Christmas

written by Bruce Chidester

Christmas is just around the corner and to put you all in a very mellow mood, I wanted to share with you a very musical trumpet ensemble called “Trumpets In Concert” Gernot Kahofer, Manuel Lichtenwöhrer, Leonhard Leeb – Trumpets Bernhard Macheiner – Keyboards, Organ Thomas Mair – Percussion Read more…

Playing a Musical Is Like Going Every Day To The Office

written by Bruce Chidester

Most playing jobs for musicians seem different than regular day jobs non musicians enjoy. Regular jobs require some sort of ridged schedule at the same location. The dress code usually is standardized and the pay checks come at a predetermined time and usually in the same amount. Commercial musicians on…

Generation Esmeralda featuring Jimmy Goings

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time I run across a musician or a band that I think should have extra recognition and today’s post features one such group. Information taken from their Web Site. Generation Esmeralda featuring Jimmy Goings is the current incarnation of the group Santa Esmeralda featuring Jimmy Goings. The…

Learn to Bag IT!

written by Bruce Chidester

In an earlier post, (The Perfect “Free” Mute Bag) I mentioned the benefits of a beautiful bag which could be used to protect your metal mutes. The bag comes from Crown Royal & Company and can be secured free of charge from anyone involved with the sale or distribution of…

Another Update from The Dark Side

written by Bruce Chidester

I need to again give my readers an update as to the values of playing on a trombone mouthpiece at the end of each day. If you are reading this information for the first time on the value of trombone mouthpiece playing as a benefit to trumpet playing, I will…

Which is the Best Trumpet Stand?

written by Bruce Chidester

Eventually all trumpet player will be faced with the realization that they need a trumpet stand. Whether its use will be in the practice room, the recording studio or the recital stage, the need for a stand will have to be faced. Fortunately the cost will not be too expensive.…