Perfect Pitch – Is it possible?

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The terms “perfect pitch” or “absolute pitch” are well know to most musicians and are looked upon as great attributes possessed by only a select few. In reality, “it isn’t all that great”! As a member of this so called select few, I can speak from experience that, although at times it can be helpful, the inability to turn it on and off does cause problems. Advantages of Perfect or Absolute Pitch The following activities are made easier for a person with Perfect Pitch- Centering notes- With Perfect Pitch, you see and feel your notes before you play them and…

The Trumpet Warm-up Part II

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Almost very trumpet player has a favorite warm-up routine that works best for his/her needs. Some believe long tones are best. Some believe short flexibility exercises are the only way for them. In my case, I feel that the same routine every day can be tiring and unproductive. For that reason, I have been alternation between two warm-ups and will continue with this practice until I find something better. One of my favorite warm-ups can be found on Jay Lichtmanns’ web site. After reaching his site, click on the heading Brass Music Downloads. Next, enter the heading called Trumpet Studies.…

Do You Ever Get Tired of Practicing?

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In order to answer this question, we must first ask an even more basic question. Why do we practice? This has an easy answer for most of us want to improve and we know that this is possible only through regular practice. If this is true, then why do we get tired of doing what helps us to become better musicians? Being older than dust has made me aware of many important truths in life and one is the fact that I want to play well for myself as well as for those listening to me perform. I have proven to…

Cheap Trumpets- Are there such things?

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Many people are in need of information on what trumpet would best suite their needs, whether it be for their child or for their own use. For that reason I have previously posted information on selecting a new instrument. This posting was written to help the individual who may not want to buy a new instrument and would like to know where and how to look for a used instrument. There are several areas one could search for a trumpet and I will try to list these areas as well as cover the advantages and disadvantages of each source. In…

Help! Emergency Trumpet Repair Tips

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Disasters and near disasters seem to always happen at the worst times and for that reason, I thought I would share some quick fixes for occasions such as these. Your second valve will not go down Have you ever had this happen? The count off begins “ONE, TWO, ONE TWO THREE FOUR”. And you discover your second valve won’t go down! It has happened to me and it is not a pretty sight. After the panic has subsided, you look down the page to see when you can rest and get it working again. Panic again! You have no rests…

Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part II

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Developing the physical side of trumpet playing – As I stated before in the previous entry, you don’t have to be a gorilla to play trumpet. Super human strength is not required to perform well. All that is required is regular practice with a balance of exercises to reach your goal. I have indicated the physical areas where attention should be placed and have also made some suggestions as to what exercises would be beneficial to you as a trumpet player. Finger or valve development It is amazing how limber and agile your first and second fingers can be and…

Understanding and Developing the Two Sides of Trumpet Playing – Part I

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Trumpet playing centers around two important areas that will determine your success or failure. The first is the physical and the second is the mental side. On this page I will be discussing the “Understanding” issues in both and in subsequent postings I will cover the “Developing” issue with specific suggestions. The reasons the physical side of trumpet playing is addressed more often than the mental issues can be argued for ever. We many times feel that if we just practice this exercise or use that trumpet we will be a successful and famous trumpet player. It is true that…