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…

Are you suffering from Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

written by Bruce Chidester

Recent studies have found that musicians are subjecting themselves to mold and/or bacteria which may lead to the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a lung condition characterized by shortness of breath and cough. The mold or bacteria has been found in virtually every instrument tested by Dr. Mark Metersky (University…

Should I Teach or Perform?

written by Bruce Chidester

Many young students are faced with this decision before they graduate from a college or university and the decision can sometimes be difficult. I have had the pleasure to play on both sides of the music stand and will try to give you the pros and cons of both areas…

Your First Call to Sub………

written by Bruce Chidester

Some players look forward to that call and some begin to shake in their boots for your first call to substitute for another player brings up many questions such as- Can I play well enough to make the band leader/conductor happy? How good did the original player do and will…

The Three Levels of Accomplishment

written by Bruce Chidester

Whether taking a test in English or performing on a recital, we can demonstrate one of three levels of ability. C level performers- C level performers expect to perform adequately and nothing more. If the passing grade is a C and you are content with that level of accomplishment, chances…

TERRY EVERSON: “Idea Number Twenty-Four” for Trumpets

written by Bruce Chidester

While searching through some of the better videos on Youtube, I can across an interesting idea. How would several trumpet ensembles compare when performing the same number and I selected Mr. Terry Everson’s composition “Idea Number Twenty-Four” for Trumpets as our test piece for it is extremely challenging and tests…

Everything Goes ‘Round In Circles

written by Bruce Chidester

To quote one of my favorite singers, Billy Preston, everything goes ‘round in circles And so does the history of this cornet. Once upon a time in the city or Waterloo, Iowa, a young seventh grade boy worked odd jobs and regularly delivered over 100 newspapers in order to save…

Tromba Mundi

written by Bruce Chidester

About Tromba Mundi Founded in 2007 for the sole purpose of the exploration, promotion and performance of new works for trumpet ensemble,Tromba Mundi has recorded several world premiere compositions and continues to commission new music for the genre. Tromba Mundi is dedicated to drawing the attention of students, professionals and…

Top Ten Mistakes Trumpet Players Make

written by Bruce Chidester

We are creatures of habit and when it comes to playing trumpet, we all are guilty at least some of the mistakes listed below. I can say that I am guilty of most of them and through many years of teaching music, I have see all of them. Posting this…

Bugles Across America- Providing Free Live Taps to Honor the Veteran

written by Bruce Chidester

Mission Statement…from Tom Day, its Founder BAA was born in 2000 as a result of the Law being passed, stating that Every Qualified Veteran can have Military Funeral Honors. In short, at least two people to fold and present the flag and provide live Taps.With this in mind, Bugles Across…

Trumpet Tips Part 2- How To Use Straight Mute And Cup Mute

written by Bruce Chidester

In our continuing quest for the best information on playing trumpet, we sometimes run across some amazing material and I would like to say that this “IS NOT ONE OF THEM”. But sometimes we need to step back and take a very serious look at our area on interest and…