How A Water Bottle Can Improve Your Breathing
Taking in a sufficient amount of air before playing trumpet is a very simple yet confusing action. Some say that “you take air in as if you are coming up for the last time when drowning”. I never did understand that one. Some say “lift your shoulders and fill your…
“The All Hands On Deck Show” Reopened in Branson This Past Week
If you happen to be in the Branson area in the next few months, be sure to visit us at “The All Hands On Deck Show” at the Dutton Theater on the strip. Stop by and hear the only “Live Big Band” in Branson with real horns!
An Interesting Dilemma Revisited
Problem Solved. After going through the arsenal of trumpet mouthpieces I have collected through several decades, I finally stumbled upon one which has been shelved for more years than I can remember; my old Purviance 5*K4. Today I played the first half of the show on my usual Bobby Shew…
An Interesting Dilemma
I pride myself as a very competent second chair trumpet player. Making this confession does not come easily for declaring that you are comfortable being a “second chair player” is against all trumpet player’s egos. But, as I told Mr. Bobby Shew one day, “we are the players that make…
Junk At Any Price Is Still Junk!
THIS IS WHY OUR COUNTRY IS LOSING THE WORLD BATTLE IN COMMERCE!
How To Oil Your Valves in “25 Seconds”!
Some may ask, “Why should anyone need to oil their valves so quickly”? Trust me, it sometimes happens and being able to finish the job in less than half a minute can mean the difference between success and failure during a concert. Years ago, I sometimes needed to oil my…
Upward Slurs Made Easier
I would like to give the late Mr. John Beer (former trumpet Prof. at the University of Iowa) credit for this helpful hint for improving your percentage of success with upward slurs. During one of my lesson with my good friend at the University of Iowa, John pointed out the…
Free Trumpet Sheet Music Offered At “Trumpet Ensemble Music.com”
For those who need some new music to practice and/or perform, visit our sister site at trumpetensemblemusic.com for a list of many arrangements you can download “free of charge”. Below are listed 38 free arrangements ranging from solos to brass quartets and include several helpful trumpet etudes and exercises. Minute…
Fine Tuning Your Fingers
When the topic of tuning comes up, it usually pertains to an intonation situation but in this case, I’m talking about the coordination of your valve fingers. Lately I have been noticing that my low D, Eb and Ab in the staff have been so sounding unclean and today I…