These posts are written by: Bruce Chidester

My Beloved Karen (5/18/1944 – 5/25/2026)

I miss you so much……..

The Ups and Downs Of Playing On A Cruise Ship- Part 2

I just got home from a cruise and spent some time visiting with the musicians on the ship. I asked them some questions that some of you may be interested in hearing. The ship was one of the largest and the band was from all over the globe. The instrumentation…

Playing On A Cruise Ship

I have been asked to share some information on playing on a cruise ship. I have not played on one myself but most of my friends in Branson do it regularly so from what they have told me, I will try to share this information with you. The good side…

Everything You Need to Know About Meditation and the Communion with God…….

What is the most important transposition to learn?

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…

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.…