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…

The Branson Trumpet Ensemble Library for Cornet (7/9/14)

written by Bruce Chidester

In our continuing project to list the Branson Trumpet Ensemble library, we will now post all of our Cornet arrangements at this time (7-9-14) Cornet arrangements from trumpetensemblemusic.com Bethena (quartet) The Cauliflower Polka (quartet) Carnival of Venice (solo w/solo Track Level 1) Pearls of the Sea (quartet) The American Boy…

The Branson Trumpet Ensemble Library for Trumpet Duets (7/9/14)

written by Bruce Chidester

In our continuing project to list the Branson Trumpet Ensemble library, we will now post all of our trumpet duet arrangements at this time (7-9-14) Trumpet Duet arrangements from trumpetensemblemusic.com Popular/Jazz 6 More Jazz Duets We Two Together Five Popular Standards Rudolph Gets Funky Snowy Day In Branson 6 Jazz…

The Branson Trumpet Ensemble Library for Trumpet Quartets (7/9/14)

written by Bruce Chidester

In our continuing project to list the Branson Trumpet Ensemble library, we will now post all of our trumpet quartet arrangements at this time (7-9-14) Trumpet Quartet arrangements from trumpetensemblemusic.com Jazz/Popular Bethena Happy St. Thomas House of the Rising Sun Good Vibrations Norwegian Wood The Magic Trumpet Here’s That Rainy…

Introduction to My World of Trumpet Ensembles

written by Bruce Chidester

A Short History Lesson on My Interest in Trumpet Ensembles While still teaching at the University of Northern Iowa, I became aware of the need for trumpet ensembles. This need stemmed from the fact that we at UNI had more trumpet students involved with our program than we had ensembles…

To P.E.T.E or not to P.E.T.E.

written by Bruce Chidester

Many have reported advantages when using the P.E.T.E. mechanism. For me it didn’t seem to increase the benefits as advertised. Because of this, I decided to search and experiment with something different and hopefully more beneficial. Known fact #1- Most great trumpet players suggest that the best embouchure requires firmness…

How to Mark Your Trumpet Music

written by Bruce Chidester

This is a subject which seldom comes up for we all use our own method when marking our music. Your own system may work for you but in some cases, a more accepted notation could be more effective. I have prepared some examples of the most accepted notations for marking…

“One Person Can Make A Difference”- Please Welcome Ms. Larkin Sanders

written by Bruce Chidester

The material below was given to me by one of the most talented and dedicated musicians I have had the pleasure to work with. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a rousing applause for ……..Larkin. “I was inspired to start a music festival after attending Chamber Music Midwest in New Richmond,…

The Late, Great Bud Brisbois (1937-1978)

written by Bruce Chidester

Often trumpet players are asked to name the greatest trumpet player of all time and even though this would be impossible to establish, it does make one reflect back to past champions for our cause. Today I decided to muse over a great musician who I had the opportunity to…

The Baton Is Mightier Than The Sword! The Downbeat Is Near.

written by Bruce Chidester

Sometimes we feel as if all the hours of practice is to no avail. The late rehearsals and endless scales seem to be falling on deaf ears. Then, something like this happens and we realize that we are involved with one of the most powerful movements on earth…… “music”, and…

The Transitional A/Bb Cornets- Did They Play In Tune? Part 2

written by Bruce Chidester

How the test was carried out I decided to prepare a test sheet which would include all of the notes from low B up to and including high C. In order to best represent each note tested, I used three preparatory notes which would give me a well centered pitch…