Buying Music in a Tight Economy

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When money is short and every cent must be carefully spent, we all need to shop wisely when making purchases. For that reason I have begun to search for the best deals when purchasing trumpet study material. This first suggestion was easy for me for I consider this book as one of the best written and most helpful books to be printed. My first contact with this publication was early in my trumpet playing days for this was the material used for all state tryouts and we were all expected to own a copy. While searching for great buys, I…

Curry Sound Sleeve Mouthpiece Tone Intensifier – Review

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(The following is taken from their home page) Standard Sound Sleeve is best for all-around work, balanced to give the right amount of slot-lock and sound centering qualities. Sound Sleeve “Y” model fits slightly higher up on the shank to accommodate the longer Yamaha andBenge trumpet receivers. Lead Sleeve is designed for upper-register playing, where you want a maximum amount of control without hindering high notes. It weighs nearly as much as the standard Sound Sleeve, but since it’s mass is distributed over a greater length, it’s effects are more subtle. MEGASLEEVE is designed for players that want to add that Heavy-weight…

Product Review – Yamaha PM7 Silent Brass System Pickup Mute

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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 blows so close to a natural open horn that you simply won’t believe it until you actually experience it for yourself. Play high or low, loud or soft, and your pitch will remain true and centered. A special microphone inside the mute relays your sound to the Personal Studio. Product…

Do You Need A Music Riser?

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When I was first introduced to the MUSIC RISER I had no idea what it was. It was explained to me that it raises the music off the stand making it easier to read. My first question was, “Why can’t you just raise the music stand”? That seemed like a legitimate question and then I was reminded that when you play in a dance band, most of the times you are playing on painfully low dance band fronts which cannot be raised. That was true and then my interest was piqued. I tried one on a job that night and…

In The Factory: Making Besson Instruments

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I found this very interesting if only to listen to some beautiful trumpet playing.

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 4

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From comments being sent in, most players have seen an improvement in their range. In fact most have been able to reach or surpass the goal of one third. To those who have stuck with the program, congratulations and because of the success, you are all on your own now. But please don’t forget how you got here and what needs to be done to continue with your improvement. The Claude Gordon Method has been a great workbook for Daily Practice and I would like to review what makes this method helpful to anyone who begins, follows and continues with…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 2 Review

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This completes the first full week on Lesson #2 of the Claude Gordon book and most of you have been finding some improvement. What have we learned? Some have reported that they have gained more range than they expected in one week. Some have reported that their range has remained the same but their original high note has improved both in consistency and sound. And some have found that their range had actually gone down. All of these reports are common and I will explain each as we go through this post. “After one week of regular practice on the…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 2

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I have included two recorded samples with this lesson for two reasons. Most players who begin these exercises, have a difficult time keeping their notes in tune when playing pedal tones and when playing in the upper register, struggle with hearing the higher notes. For those reasons I have recorded these samples for you to practice with. Another advantage of playing along with a recorded example is that it will dictate the amount of time to play as well as rest during your practice time. This is very important for many players actually overdo the playing and underdo the resting.…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 1 (Part #3)

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We have spent a large amount of time explaining some of the ideas in the Claude Gordon “Systematic Approach To Daily Practice” and now it is time to start our weekly assignments. Please note that I am still making reference to “OUR” lessons for I am on this journey as well. My goal is to break the range barrier I am faced with. As you heard on the last recording, my range is passable up to an F# but the G is still not my friend. Some of you are working to gain access to the “G” below and others…

Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 1

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Now that you have your own Claude Gordon “Systematic Approach to Daily Practice” in front of you. Oh, you didn’t get yours yet? Well that’s why I posted the first lesson on my site. Some have ordered it and have not received it and some think they can take my class without getting the text. Thirty years teaching in a university has taught me that there are always those that try to cut corners and if you happen to be one, I’m going to keep an eye on you. We will begin the class by taking a look at Lesson…