Technology and Trumpet Playing

written by Bruce Chidester on January 13, 2025

We live in a very fast passed world which includes constant innovations in all areas of our lives. Artificial Intelligence has changed the way we collect information, advancements in medicine is prolonging our lives as well as improvements even in our automobiles and manufacturing practices. But who could have predicted that printing in 3D would be helpful in prolonging my Trumpet career? During a recent biopsy of my right upper lung, I was told that I had developed cancer. That was not the information I was hoping for but during this same procedure, I also incurred another disappointment. During the…

Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

written by Bruce Chidester

If you have not spent some time in Sherman, Texas, you have missed an event that you would have remembered for the rest of your life. If you are a Jazz fan and have not experienced the amazing collection of Jazz memorabilia in Sherman, Texas, you are not a true…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 2

written by Bruce Chidester

After reading our first post, Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1 – Trumpet Blog , some may ask why these miraculous changes occurred? Were they simple coincidences or is there actually power in prayer? Only each individual will be able to answer this question. But,…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1

written by Bruce Chidester

The past year has had many unexpected turns which can test one’s faith and understanding of life. April of last year began unexpectedly when it was discovered that my wife had developed cancer in her right eye. After its extraction we were faced with the saddening fact that the cancer…

Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain Continued

written by Bruce Chidester

Read first…. Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain – Trumpet Blog Today was a very productive day with a specialist responsible for CT scanning my complete circulatory system. While spending three hours on an examination table in my local Dr’s. Office, I gained additional information on why high,…

Trumpet Tips

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…

10 Indications That You Are Too Old To Play Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester

10 Indications That You Are Too Old To Play Trumpet. 1. People compliment you on your vibrato when you’re playing a straight tone. 2. Your mutes are green and fuzzy. 3. Your blood pressure is higher than your upper range. 4. You now use your gig bag to carry your…

How to Play in Tune

written by Bruce Chidester

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…

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Are You A Professional or An Amateur?

written by Bruce Chidester

Due to the fact that this post primarily contains information related to the more limited topic of music, the original question could be restated more accurately as “Are You A Professional or An Amateur Musician”? According to the latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) source: A professional musician is someone who earns…

Features to Consider when Buying a Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester

When deciding on which trumpet/cornet to buy, there are a few guidelines that need to be addressed. The bottom line cost is one of the most obvious questions for most people. Unless you are interested in the ultimate, hand fitted, custom made, work of art, one of a kind horn,…

See What Your Tonguing Looks Like

written by Bruce Chidester

Often we are told to listen to our sounds and evaluate our progress. As I demonstrated on an earlier post we were able to see what our tone looks like through recording software. The same is true when trying to improve other areas of our playing, and in this case…

Show Me the Light of Gods’ Great Glory

written by Bruce Chidester

Free Brass Choir Arrangement of “Why Me Lord?”

written by Bruce Chidester

This arrangement was done to recognize a true Miracle in our families’ lives. My wife was diagnosed with cancer and our family has struggled for the past year with this shocking news. After undergoing two different sessions of immune therapy, radiation and endless visits with countless physicians, our best hope…

Arban Characteristic Study #1- Trumpet Duet

written by Bruce Chidester

Sometimes I like to visit old projects from the past as in this case. Etude playing alone is not an activity I enjoy but coupling the same etude with a second part can add much more excitement and enthusiasm to the activity. This arrangement of Arban Characteristic Study #1- Trumpet…