Vibrato

written by Bruce Chidester on October 10, 2026

Download exercise sheet Trumpet Vibrato Basics I mentioned in my previous post that I feel the best vibrato for trumpet playing is the hand vibrato. Some of the reasons I feel strongly about this form of vibrato over other techniques are- 1. It does not interfere with the basic sound of the note. 2. It is easier to control. 3. It can be turned on and off much easier than other methods. 4. Even though it might not be the best technique for other brass instruments, in my opinion, it is the best technique for the trumpet.…

Outstanding !!!!!!!!

written by Bruce Chidester

What You Should Know Before Buying A Flugelhorn

written by Bruce Chidester

To many people, the flugelhorn is a unique and interesting instrument. It looks bigger than a trumpet and in some ways it is bigger. It is heavier and has a larger bell. But when stretched out to its full length, a Bb flugelhorn is exactly the same length as a…

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Many Thanks to Our Readers

written by Bruce Chidester

We, at thetrumpetblog.com wish to thank our readers for their patients during the past three month. Due to the decline in my wife’s (Karen) health, I have been slow at posting new material on our site. Now that all the issues dealing with her death have been completed and I…

Recent Loss to the Trumpet World- Mr. Don Thomas

written by Bruce Chidester

To most trumpet players, names such as Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Miles Davis and others are easily recognized through the many records on the market today. Strangely enough, many of these great players would have been overshadowed by the talent of a quiet, soft spoken trumpet player from…

Here’s An Interesting Design For A Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time we run across something new. Some are good ideas and most are bad. This is an exception for I found the design not only unique but also a new concept which might catch on. Check it out and send me your comments.

Introducing Jonathan Saraga- “Required Reading”

written by Bruce Chidester

I try to stay up with the current trumpet scene and for that reason I ran across a phenomenal young player by the name of Jonathan Saraga. Most often when cruising the net I will hear a player who has great range and endurance but lacks ideas or technique. On…

The angle of the air stream.

written by Bruce Chidester

We have covered the lip, mouthpiece placement, lip tension, aperture size and control, and now it is time to talk about the direction of the air stream. The air begins in the lungs and is forced between the lips which creates vibrations and in turn produces the sound which emanates…

The Correct Lip Alignment And Aperture Size?

written by Bruce Chidester

First we must explain to our younger players just what an aperture is and how it affects our trumpet playing. When we speak of an aperture size, we are speaking of the size and shape of the opening between your lips as you produce a note. Some players prefer a…

A Loose or Firm Embouchure?

written by Bruce Chidester

Now that we have covered the advantages and disadvantages of a mouthpiece placed vertically and horizontally on the embouchure, the next element to deal with is the firmness or looseness of the embouchure itself. Many players place the mouthpiece on their lips and begin blowing, never thinking of the firmness…

Placement of Mouthpiece- Up Or Down?

written by Bruce Chidester

The question of mouthpiece placement is an issue of air efficiency. When everything is working efficiently ie. mouthpiece placement, angle of horn, mouthpiece pressure, etc. the sound will indicate this balance. When I say efficient conditions, this is indicated as a big sound. Experienced trumpet players recognize this tone and…

A great musician and a wonderful person to know.. we’ll miss you Steve

written by Bruce Chidester

Steven L Black (May 4, 1958 – December 16, 2013) Not often do we get to know such a wonderful person as Steve Black. In a business which is well known for petty jealousies and back stabbing, it is refreshing to come across one who is kind, patient and a…

Mouthpiece placement change

written by Bruce Chidester

From time to time, students ask the question “Is my mouthpiece in the correct position”? To their teacher, this is the question most instructors try to avoid. The reason for their reluctance is that to change a student’s mouthpiece position means many unpleasant lessons both for the student as well…

Music Is Alive And Well In The Villages

written by Bruce Chidester

A good friend of ours shared some information about the musical activities in a well-known area known as The Villages, “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown”. The Villages is located in central Florida mid-way between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. It’s an hour north of Orlando near Interstate 75 and the Florida Turnpike,…