A Beginner’s Guide To Transposition

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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 music (which way and how far?) Step #1 Extend your left arm to full length. Bring the palm of your hand in to face you. Think of each of your fingers as lines on a staff. Your thumb is now top line F, your first finger is now the D…

Vibrato, Lip trills and Shakes made easy!

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You might wonder why these three techniques are grouped together. The reason I am discussing them as a group is because they are all three related. The shake is just an extension of a vibrato and the proper use of lip trills (tongue trills) is the bridge between an applied hand vibrato and a shake. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ EACH OF MY INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ORDER THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED. Introduction to the application and use of vibrato Performing a solo without vibrato is similar to eating a perfect steak without seasoning. Even the best steak will…

20 Minute Warm-up (Version 2)

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No one ever said that I was fast. After decades of teaching the same 20-minute warm-up, I have recently found something even better to add to my practice routine. I now play the same recording as before but have found added benefits to this routine by changing the tempo (doubling the speed) and form (playing the scales twice) of the original exercise. Included below is a copy of the updated exercise. The benefit of the original 20-minute warm-up was achieved by gradually increasing to higher notes as well as including lower notes to keep the lip flexible. By performing these…

No One Is An Island

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No one can succeed as a trumpet player without help from others. No matter how accomplished you have become, or how great you anticipate your future accomplishments, you will not become successful without the help of others. You may be spending countless hours in a small practice room practicing every etude known to man, yet you may be spending energy and time on the wrong exercises. Without help from others, your ability to play triple high “C’s” at tempi far beyond the speed of sound means nothing without help and guidance from others. I have listed below some of the…

The Three Levels of Accomplishment

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Whether taking a test in English or performing on a recital, we can demonstrate one of three levels of ability. C level performers- C level performers expect to perform adequately and nothing more. If the passing grade is a C and you are content with that level of accomplishment, chances are very good that the C will be your final grade. Usually C students are content to spend the semester doing just enough to get by. Musicians are the same in that they will perform as well as they are expected, as long as the bar is not so high…

Third Valve Exercise

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Due to the fact that we seldom use the third valve, compared to the use of the first and second, we many times face timing and coordination issues. You may find this duet helpful when trying to improve your timing and coordination of your third valve finger. Third Valve Exercise

What are the differences between trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets and flugelhorns?

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Trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets, and flugelhorns are all part of the brass family and look quite similar at first glance, but they each have unique characteristics that make them suited for different styles, ranges, and tones. Here’s a breakdown of their main differences: 🎺 Trumpet Key: Most commonly in B♭. Tone: Bright, piercing, and powerful. Bore Shape: Cylindrical (same diameter throughout most of the tubing), which contributes to its sharp tone. Usage: Classical, jazz, pop, marching bands, orchestras—very versatile. Range: Standard trumpet range, extending from F# below middle C to about 2.5 octaves above. 🎺 Cornet Key: Also usually in…

How to Practice- Petite Piece Concertante

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Petite Piece Concertante has been one of the main staples in the literature of our instrument and also one of the most deceivingly difficult solos to perform in a true musical fashion. One reason for this musical deception is the fact that the solo is not an ordinary solo where the performer starts at measure one and continues to the final measure. This “warhorse” is actually a series of short, four measure solos, each extremely musical by itself. For that reason, I have decided to illustrate this collection of short melodic segments in the following manner in order to make…

Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

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If you have not spent some time in Sherman, Texas, you have missed an event that you would have remembered for the rest of your life. If you are a Jazz fan and have not experienced the amazing collection of Jazz memorabilia in Sherman, Texas, you are not a true Jazz fan! If you think you know a lot about the history of Jazz, you are delusional! I encourage you to experience a true transformation back to the time of the big bands, tight Jazz combos and the legacy, history and “feel” of America’s only true art form. You need…

Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain Continued

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Read first…. Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain – Trumpet Blog Today was a very productive day with a specialist responsible for CT scanning my complete circulatory system. While spending three hours on an examination table in my local Dr’s. Office, I gained additional information on why high, loud playing with a trumpet can sometimes create pain in the back of one’s head. The original purpose of my exam today was to determine the cause of a common condition call Peripheral Neuropathy. The outcome of this exam is yet to be determined but the information I came away…