Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part II

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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 goal. I have indicated the physical areas where attention should be placed and have also made some suggestions as to what exercises would be beneficial to you as a trumpet player. Finger or valve development It is amazing how limber and agile your first and second fingers can be and…

Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part I

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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 suggestions. The reasons the physical side of trumpet playing is addressed more often than the mental issues can be argued for ever. We many times feel that if we just practice this exercise or use that trumpet we will be a successful and famous trumpet player. It is true that…

Update From The Dark Side

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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 to listen to a struggling trombone player. I have always wanted to play trombone even as a child. Fortunately I went the way of the valved instrument and have been very happy with my decision. But now I have the time and desire to learn a double and the new…

Improved Long Tones- Part III

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Now that the dust has settled and we have heard from a reasonable number of readers about the importance of Long tones, I think it is time to review our material as I see it. My original statements regarding the three elements of long tones- 1.Boring, 2. Adds to stiffness, and 3. Does not make money still stand. Some readers understood that I am not against long tones or their obvious benefits, while others misinterpreted my meaning, thinking that long tones are not beneficial. My goal was to create discussion as to a better way to use long tones which…

What Causes Stage Fright and How Can it be Overcome?

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The lights go down, the audience begins their applause and you walk out from behind the curtains to perform your solo. As you reach your spot next to the piano, you notice the shaking in your legs and the extreme dryness in your mouth. As you acknowledge your accompanist you realize that you can’t breath or even remember your name. AND THEN IT GETS WORSE! If you have ever performed in front of an audience, no matter how large or small, you may have gone through a similar situation. It is even worse for trumpet players for we have chosen…

Improved Long Tones Part II

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So far no one has offered any comments about my last post. Surely someone will step up and defend the common and accepted practice of lone tones (either 1. I have no following, 2. everyone takes my word for it or 3. no one will stick their neck out and face me). Which is it folks? My Last post stated that for three reasons the practice of long tones should be discontinued. I gave my reasoning for this rebellious statement and in this post I will give the trumpet world an alternative concept which should prove my assertions about the…

Testing A Possible New Way To Tune A Trumpet- Part 2

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After doing my own tests on this theory, I came to this conclusion- Matching the pitch of both the bell vibrations and the pitch of the air passing through the lead pipe and tuning slide did make a difference in how the instrument sounded and responded. The only problem with the thought that the instrument is more in tune with itself is that any change in the position of the tuning slide will have similar affects on your instrument. I found nothing note worthy in this experiment and would compare the basic sound and response of a Bb trumpet to…

Testing A Possible New Way To Tune A Trumpet

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This was a recent post on one of the more active trumpet bulletin boards and caught my inquisitive eye. After careful reading I decided to test the good Doctor’s theory. I will reserve my conclusions until our next post so that you will not be biased in any way when you do your own test. Carefully follow the instructions written by its originator and in our next post, I will give you my take of this new thought. Try it and see if it works. Testing A Possible New Way To Tune A Trumpet I would like TM to participate…

Why Do Trumpet Players Pass Out? Part III

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The problem of getting light headed and in some cases passing out is something lead trumpet players are always aware of. The occurrence of these episodes is rare but if you know the cause, you may be able to ward off a serious accident while playing. This entertaining video has many justified points which should be considered. For additional information on these job related accidents, check out the links listed below…. Why Do Trumpet Players Pass Out? Part I Why Do Trumpet Players Pass Out? Part II In no way am I endorsing or condemning this product.

How To Be Popular With The Girls

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How To Be Popular With The Girls 1. Learn the D Dorian Mode. 2. Wear a blue shirt.