What You Should Know In Order To Improving Your Tone Quality (Part #1)

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I Never Wanted to Be An Old Trumpet Player- “And Now I Are One”! Tone is something every musician should be concerned about for it is the only product we have to offer our listeners. Some tones are small and intimate, such as Miles Davis. Some tones are intensely focused and centered as in the case of Rafael Mendez. To say a person has a beautiful sound seems to be the ultimate compliment but this beautiful sound may not be appropriate for a horn player in a Rock and Roll band. Rather than debate the question of what is a…

I Never Wanted to Be An Old Trumpet Player- “And Now I Are One”!

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Many years ago I shared my view of old trumpet players with a friend after watching an elderly man struggle to play his part during one of our rehearsals. The thought of struggling to play a once easy passage deterred by advancing years concerned me. Now I relish every opportunity to pucker and blow for not only are the hard notes easier but all aspects of playing are easier than they were twenty years ago. What, you might ask, made the difference and I will explain in full detail…… As I got older, I got smarter! As aspiring young musicians,…

Attention all Music Computer Geeks!

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Attention all Music Computer Geeks! Check this site out today….. NCH Software I am not endorsing this company in any way for I just started reviewing some of their software offerings and would like your help in this evaluation. So far I am impressed but what do I know, I’m just a trumpet player in a Rock and Roll band. Some of the programs are as follow.. WavePad Audio Editor Edit your audio files and add effects to create professional quality audio files. Switch Audio Converter Convert audio files from many different file formats into mp3, wav or wma. Express…

Carroll Community Wind Ensemble Trumpet Players

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Welcome to part of the Carroll Community Wind Ensemble out of Carrollton, Ga. The ensemble is a community outreach program of the Carroll Symphony Orchestra that began 3 years ago and has performed at many community events. This is their second time performing with the University of West Georgia. Two years ago they combined with members of the CSO to provide the pit orchestra for the opera Carmen. They currently have 5 trumpet players in their trumpet section. The photo includes, from left to right, Bob Johnson, Jen Houck and Chris Davis. Their other two trumpet players are Terry Strickland…

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Protecting the Finish of Your Instrument

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In an earlier post I covered the essentials for keeping your brass instrument in good working order. This post will cover the importance of keeping the outer service of your instrument in good shape. Whether you have a silver or gold plated instrument or a lacquered or even bare brass surface, it is important to protect the outside from damage and wear. Bare brass instruments Instruments without plating or lacquer will eventually turn ugly. The reason that bare brass changes with time is the fact that the brass, when exposed to the air over a given period will tarnish and…

Three Cadenzas for Del Staigers Carnival of Venice

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This needs no explanation. I just got tired of the same written cadenza and thought some of you might like something different. You will obviously need to take liberties with the tempo of each cadenza, slow at the beginning and fast at the end of each run. The piano part and the trumpet part are in the same key as the original so all you have to do is give your accompanist one of these sheets and take off. Download here 3 Cadenzas for Staigers Carnival of Venice Listen to examples Carnival of Venice- Cadenza

Is Live Music Dead- Is there any way we can bring it back to life?

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Each day we hear of more musicians losing their jobs. Some reasons given for this epidemic are 1. The economy, 2. Reduced ticket sales, 3. Change in direction, 4. Tracks are more economical. 5. Tracks don’t make mistakes, 6. No one is using horns any more, and the list goes on. It started with the big bands during the Swing Era from the early 1930’s until the late 1940’s. Men serving in the war were not available to fill the sections of the popular big bands back home. Money and materials were needed for the war efforts. Gas which was…

Good Morning Vietnam!

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For the past four years I have been pumping out post after post every other day. Some were helpful (How To Mark Your Music) and some generated controversy (The Disturbing Monette Video) and one I actually had to apologies for (Teaching An Old Dog New Tricks). Well this “old dog” decided to take the day off and feature a product evaluation submitted to me by a very good friend and accomplished trumpet player by the name of Jen. Here is Jen’s evaluation of her new Mute Master purchased through A&G Music. I just received a new mute holder that I…

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Finally- “The Perfect Performance Chair/Stool”!

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We all have suffered long enough when faced with the problem of a comfortable chair or stool when performing on stage or practicing. After spending “almost an entire lifetime” searching for the “PERFECT” solution to this dilemma, I felt compelled to single handedly add comfort and confidence to the world of seated performers. I spend at least eight to ten hours a day (every day) at my computer and when I finally broke down and purchase a new desk chair, I wanted the best I could afford. As it turned out, the purchase price was not at all what I…