These posts are written by: Bruce Chidester

To P.E.T.E or not to P.E.T.E.

Many have reported advantages when using the P.E.T.E. mechanism. For me it didn’t seem to increase the benefits as advertised. Because of this, I decided to search and experiment with something different and hopefully more beneficial. Known fact #1- Most great trumpet players suggest that the best embouchure requires firmness…

How to Mark Your Trumpet Music

This is a subject which seldom comes up for we all use our own method when marking our music. Your own system may work for you but in some cases, a more accepted notation could be more effective. I have prepared some examples of the most accepted notations for marking…

The Late, Great Bud Brisbois (1937-1978)

Often trumpet players are asked to name the greatest trumpet player of all time and even though this would be impossible to establish, it does make one reflect back to past champions for our cause. Today I decided to muse over a great musician who I had the opportunity to…

Why did the Cornet become a second rate citizen?

First I need to apologize to the uninitiated followers of trumpet history. This will not be an entertaining document. This might be boring to the casual reader but for the rest of us who are deeply interested in how our trumpet/cornet history has been developing, I think this is worth…

Perfect Pitch – Is it possible?

The terms “perfect pitch” or “absolute pitch” are well know to most musicians and are looked upon as great attributes possessed by only a select few. In reality, “it isn’t all that great”! As a member of this so called select few, I can speak from experience that, although at…