Has Your Faithful Blogster Turned To The Dark Side?

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Before any ugly rumors begin to start circulating around the Blogaspher, I need to make a confession to my readers……I own, and currently playing a TROMBONE! (Thunderous gasps of disbelief were heard throughout the galaxy). Yes, it is true that for Christmas my loving wife gave me my Christmas request, a trombone. Now this is not an average garage sale trombone. This is one of the very popular PBones which come in various colors. Our nod was given to the deep blue variety with hopes I will be able to play the blues in the truest fashion. Trombone is not…

Just Some Random Thoughts!

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Can you cry under water? How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered? Why do you have to “put your two cents in”.. but it’s only a “penny for your thoughts”? Where’s that extra penny going to? Once you’re in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity? Why does a round pizza come in a square box? What disease did cured ham actually have? How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea…

A Different Approach to Breathing

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We have spent a great deal of time reviewing the Claude Gordan Systematic Approach to Daily practice and from your responses; many have found benefit, including myself. Now I would like to feature another approach to playing in the upper register, and as you will see, it suggests a completely different way about getting the higher notes. For those of you who will find this approach contrary to what The Gordan Method suggested, don’t be confused for each has its own approach to reaching the same goal. Where the Gordan Method instructs you to breathe deep and expand as much…

The Branson Trumpet Ensemble Video Series- Stuff

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I hope you enjoy these helpful suggestions for some are very important and some are just practical advice to help our fellow trumpet players.

the Branson Trumpet Ensemble Video Series- Stuff

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I hope you enjoy these helpful suggestions for some are very important and some are just practical advice to help our fellow trumpet players.

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 3 Review

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This was the week that got me my first G in many years. To some that might not seem like much of an accomplishment but to me it was a welcome occurrence. My F and F# got much easier and after finally breaking into the G, I have been able to go up to a very think A above high C. Review of this week’s work. 1. I was able to use last week’s recording for this week’s material. In Part I, I hold the first two half notes out for four counts each and the last half note for…

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…