First we must explain to our younger players just what an aperture is and how it affects our trumpet playing. When we speak of an aperture size, we are speaking of the size and shape of the opening between your lips as you produce a note. Some players prefer a…
These posts are written by: Bruce Chidester
A Loose or Firm Embouchure?
Now that we have covered the advantages and disadvantages of a mouthpiece placed vertically and horizontally on the embouchure, the next element to deal with is the firmness or looseness of the embouchure itself. Many players place the mouthpiece on their lips and begin blowing, never thinking of the firmness…
Placement of Mouthpiece- Up Or Down?
The question of mouthpiece placement is an issue of air efficiency. When everything is working efficiently ie. mouthpiece placement, angle of horn, mouthpiece pressure, etc. the sound will indicate this balance. When I say efficient conditions, this is indicated as a big sound. Experienced trumpet players recognize this tone and…
A great musician and a wonderful person to know.. we’ll miss you Steve
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
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
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!
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
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…
The Trumpet Warm-up Part II
Almost very trumpet player has a favorite warm-up routine that works best for his/her needs. Some believe long tones are best. Some believe short flexibility exercises are the only way for them. In my case, I feel that the same routine every day can be tiring and unproductive. For that…
Playing a Musical Is Like Going Every Day To The Office
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…