I am not trying to make excuses for trumpet players when I say the trumpet is a very unique instrument with characteristics not found in other instruments. You might find the following statements supportive of these observations. Brass players are the only instrumentalists expected to produce the music with their lips.…
These posts are written by: Bruce Chidester
Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part II
Developing the physical side of trumpet playing – As I stated before in the previous entry, you don’t have to be a gorilla to play trumpet. Super human strength is not required to perform well. All that is required is regular practice with a balance of exercises to reach your…
Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part I
Trumpet playing centers around two important areas that will determine your success or failure. The first is the physical and the second is the mental side. On this page I will be discussing the “Understanding” issues in both and in subsequent postings I will cover the “Developing” issue with specific…
Best Selling Brands of Trumpets
I would like to use the automobile selection as an illustration. Is the Toyota the best car on the road? Possibly, possibly not, but from past experience and sale records, it does prove that there are many people satisfied with the Toyota automobile. I happen to have two in my…
Which Trumpet should I buy?
If you are a beginning student and are interested in starting trumpet/cornet, your music teacher will be able to guide you in this area. Usually your first instrument will be rented which gives you the opportunity to find out if you want to continue. If you have been renting and…
Lead Trumpet Players
No explanations is need for this entertaining animation. The question would be, “How many of your trumpet playing friends remind you of the lead player”?
Update From The Dark Side
This is another update from the DARK SIDE. For those unfamiliar with my use of this term I will explain. This past Christmas my wife gave me an unusual gift for a trumpet player… a trombone. It wasn’t that she dislikes my trumpet playing for she has far less desire…
Classical Musician and Jazz Musician – What’s The Difference?
My Observations You might think that this is a joke, something like- “There is no difference, neither one can make a living”. But that would be silly. My discussion is geared more towards the intellectuals among us. Those who ponder the real meaning of questions such as “How am I…
Product Review – Yamaha PM7 Silent Brass System Pickup Mute
Created by Yamaha’s wind instrument design team, the PM7 Silent Brass pickup mute is made of lightweight plastic, with a unique rubber sealer to hold it securely in the bell. When used with the Silent Brass system, it has none of that stuffy restricted feeling of conventional practice mutes. In fact, it…
Opening The 42nd Annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Festival
Some jobs are taken for the money, some are taken for the prestige and still others are played only because they are fun and that’s what the past week was all about. A very good friend invited me to play with his Dixieland band at the opening of the Bix…