When asking a symphony player to single out the most important transposition for a trumpet, I am sure you would get many suggestions. Transposing trumpet parts in a symphony is a way of life. Some transpositions are easy and some are extremely difficult. Transposing in a show usually begins with…
These posts are written by: Bruce Chidester
The Trumpet Blog.Com Will be Taking an Extended Vacation
Our first post went online November 24, 2010, and has added Trumpet related information continuously from that date until now. I have been very pleased with the content as well as the periodic comments our readers have sent in. It was my original intent to share some of my limited…
A Beginner’s Guide To Transposition
Does your hair stand on end when you are faced with a part which requires transposition? Until you become familiar with playing notes that are not there, you will be uncomfortable. I will try to give you some helpful tips on how to reading transpositions at sight. Learning to transpose…
Shakes
Download exercise sheet- Shake exercise sheet Download audio instructions- Shakes The similarity between the lip (tongue) trill and the shake are remarkable. Everything that we had practiced to produce a tongue trill will now be applied to the technique of playing shakes. The only difference between the two is that in…
Saying Good Bye To An Old Friend
After several decades of working with this great cup mute, it may be time to retire him (her), for newer and more improved models are now available. Your corks have been replaced at least a dozen times. Your bottom has been epoxied at least twice and you colors have faded.…
Merry Christmas to My One and Only
World Meditation Day – A Global Wave of Peace – 21 December 2025
This completes my 50th year as a TM meditator. Thank you, Maharishi
How can I play higher? Part 2
Know your enemy- 1. Excessive mouthpiece pressure One element which can limit your playing in the upper register is excessive mouthpiece pressure. The lip needs to continuously vibrate when playing and an excess of mouthpiece pressure can limit and even stop the lips vibration when playing high notes. One trick…
How can I play higher? Part 1
This is the most often question trumpet teachers are asked. Why is this such a problem? Seldom are students concerned on how fast they can play or how they can improve their tone. It always comes back to high-range playing. To answer this question, we must first step back and…
Vibrato, Lip trills and Shakes made easy!
You might wonder why these three techniques are grouped together. The reason I am discussing them as a group is because they are all three related. The shake is just an extension of a vibrato and the proper use of lip trills (tongue trills) is the bridge between an applied…