20 Minute Warm-up (Version 2)
No one ever said that I was fast. After decades of teaching the same 20-minute warm-up, I have recently found something even better to add to my practice routine. I now play the same recording as before but have found added benefits to this routine by changing the tempo (doubling…
What are the differences between trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets and flugelhorns?
Trumpets, cornets, piccolo trumpets, and flugelhorns are all part of the brass family and look quite similar at first glance, but they each have unique characteristics that make them suited for different styles, ranges, and tones. Here’s a breakdown of their main differences: 🎺 Trumpet Key: Most commonly in B♭.…
Shofar Sho Good!
A shofar (pron. /ʃoʊˈfɑːr/, from Hebrew: is an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram’s horn, used for Jewish religious purposes. Like the modern bugle, the shofar lacks pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player’s embouchure. The shofar is blown in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and at the very end of Yom Kippur, and is also blown every weekday morning in the…
Stockholm Chamber Brass- “It Doesn’t Get much Better Than This”
With the support of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, this ensemble took part in the 1988 International Competition for Brass Quintets in Narbonne, France, where it won first prize. The quintet has played a major role in expanding the modern repertoire of brass quintets. Since its founding, it has…
Rest As Much As You Play
My response to the discussion posted on TPIN There seems to be a flurry of excitement on the TPIN site about the comfort of your lip or the “rest as much as you play” discussion, and for that reason, I would like to add to the discussion. Everyone would like…
Studio musicians- Don Thomas, the best……
Musical employment can take many forms. Some musicians spend their careers in symphony orchestras. Some make a living performing in theaters in New York and Las Vegas, and some may find employment on the road with big bands. In each case, the thrill and sometimes disappointment is worth all of…
THE 2025-2025 KING’S BRASS AUDITIONS
“I just received this recent announcement of dates and times of auditions for this amazing ensemble (The King’s Brass), and Mr. Zimmerman has asked me to share this with our readers”, Greetings from The King’s Brass- The group just finished their 2024 Christmas & 2025 January Tours. From Christmas at Mt.…
Nathan Little- In His Own Words
From time to time, we are impressed with people and/or things that seem more important than the norm. This was the case when I first encountered the musicianship of the son of one of my best friends and college Don Little (Tuba extrordinare, University of North Texas faculty). For a…
How to Practice- Petite Piece Concertante
Petite Piece Concertante has been one of the main staples in the literature of our instrument and also one of the most deceivingly difficult solos to perform in a true musical fashion. One reason for this musical deception is the fact that the solo is not an ordinary solo where…
Technology and Trumpet Playing
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…