How to Play in Tune

written by Bruce Chidester on April 29, 2024

Before we get to the “How Do I’s”, I need to address a few questions which are seldom asked but are equally important: Why is it important to play in tune? Playing “out of tune hurts”. It doesn’t hurt the player but it certainly hurts the listener. If you watch television programs such as “American Idol” or “So You Think You’ve Got Talent” or some equally popular show, you have experienced the horror of amateur singers trying to make it big. When they land on an out of tune note for any length of time, we all seem to have…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 7)

written by Bruce Chidester

Short but helpful suggestions: Handling the hose- To keep from being strangled to death with your hose, run it from your machine over the back of the headboard and down to your pillow. In this way it is controlled and you will not fight it all night as you move…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 6)

written by Bruce Chidester

Do you have to use your machine every night? NO! Knowing that involuntary habits can actually be retrained made me wonder if the Bipap/Cpap therapy is something that needs to be continued indefinitely. My answer to that question (in my case) is an emphatic No! I began my test to…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 5)

written by Bruce Chidester

#1 Complaint- Dry mouth After visiting with other sufferers of Sleep Apnea, the most consistent complaint seemed to be dry mouth. The dryness in my mouth each morning was so severe that I eventually developed a lesion in the back of my throat which progressed into a serious problem. After…

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to our stage, Mr. Victor Haskins”.

written by Bruce Chidester

In my original post introducing this musician, who I considered to be a moving force in the universe, was on September 29, 2012 when I published “Please Welcome Victor Haskins”. At that time I predicted his continued success and I wanted to share his talents with my readers. As in…

How and When To Use A Plunger…..”and which one”?

written by Bruce Chidester

Obviously most people know the “When” and “How” use of the common sewer plunger but many trumpet players are not familiar with its use as a trumpet mute. Commercial plungers are available in most well equipped music stores and the offerings on line are numerous. Examples and instruction of the…

EVERYBODY’S A CRITIC!

written by Bruce Chidester

Warning! This video contains foul language and intense personal anguish. If you are offended by aggressive, confrontational behavior, do not view this video. If you are underage, do not view this video. If you have ever been attacked by a small man (woman?)on the street when practicing your horn, do…

TRUMPETS IN THE SKY, OR A WORLD WIDE HOAX (Update from 2012)

written by Bruce Chidester

Some may remember my post dating back to November 2, 2012 which asked the question “Trumpets in the sky, or a worldwide hoax”. I thought I’d update everyone on the current discussion on this unusual phenomenon. The sounds are still here…. but now we have additional information-

How to Solve Your Hinge Problems

written by Bruce Chidester

Now that you have downloaded your new arrangement for your ensemble, which comes in separate pages (25 to be exact), how do you plan on connecting each part and score? PDF files are great for downloading but when trying to keep page 1 of trumpet 2 with the other trumpet…

Fourth Day of Free Music!

written by Bruce Chidester

How long will this continue? Our first offering was obviously from France- 36 Etudes Trascendantes Our second offering was from Russia- 13 Russian Etudes Our third day was from various countries- Transposition Etudes This is our last day of free music, at least for a while and comes again from…

32 Transposition Etudes- Free

written by Bruce Chidester

Third Day of Free Etudes! How long will this continue? Our first offering was obviously from France- 36 Etudes Trascendantes by Theo Charlier . Our second offering was from Russia- 13 Russian Etudes by Vladislav Blazhevich. Today’s offering is from various countries- Transposition Etudes

Vladislav Blazhevich 13 Russian Etudes- Free

written by Bruce Chidester

This is your lucky week! Now take a look at another outstanding etude collection for trumpet and this time we feature Vladislav Blazhevich’s 13 Russian Etudes. In a tight economy and high unemployment, I will continue to try to find other materials which are available to all on the Internet.…

36 Etudes Trascendantes- Free

written by Bruce Chidester

36 Etudes Trascendantes is one of the most often required collection of etudes for trumpet and to find this tremendous collection offered free is an outstanding occasion. I found this downloadable book on line today and am very pleased to share it with my readers. Whether you are a beginner…

The Different Parts of Your Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester

Many times those of us who have been behind a mouthpiece for many years forget that young players are just starting out on the trumpet and what seems obvious to us, may be new information to the younger player. For that reason I thought it would be helpful to the…