Tips for Improving Your Sight Reading

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Many times we are held back by our inability to read new material quickly and accurately. This weakness can surface while playing in a band, on a gig, or in a recording session. Some players seem to be able to read anything placed on their stand while others fumble with even the simplest passages. Teachers many times will explain to their students that the only way to improve their sight reading skills is to do more reading. While this is true, it doesn’t address the basic problems facing the student. I have learned that “just reading more new music” is not a…

What is Really Happening in Your Body When You Play Trumpet?

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The arguments go back and forth as to what happens in our body as we play trumpet. Some say the tongue arches to increase air velocity in the upper register while others say it is the lips which produce the faster vibrations and still others say that it is the increased velocity of the air stream but give no reason for the increase in speed. This is a very helpful film which shows us exactly what is going on in our mouth, throat and lips. Watch this and determine what needs to be done to play throughout the entire range…

Buying A New/Used Trumpet Is Like Buying A New/Used Car

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You may think this is a strange comparison but the selection of each is very similar as I will try to illustrate. Guidelines when purchasing a new car • Should I buy a new car or a used one? • Do I need a new car? • What do I want to do with my new car? • How much money should I spend? • Where can I get the best deal? • Which manufacture should I look at? • Which model should I try? • What options should I consider? • Should I trade in my old model or…

What Ever Happened To Geoff Gallante?

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When we think we have reached the top, along comes someone like this that reminds us we are not all that good. Looks as if we have some new blood in the trumpet world and are we happy about that. Enjoy the future of trumpet playing. 8yr old Geoff Gallante–all 50 pounds of him– plays tribute to Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass with the acclaimed Ridgewood (NJ) Concert Band, Chris Wilhjelm conducting. The band is one of the finest of it’s kind in the nation. Where has Little Geoff Gallante Gone? Feb 13, 2015 May 8, 2010 Dec 9, 2008…

The OcToBrass Range Builder

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They Say “If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it”. So…..I’ve tried it, now I’ll knock it. A friend of mine asked me to try his new OcToBrass Range Builder and let him know what I thought of it. I will first list the claims its inventor advertises and give you my view of this revolutionary instrument which will do all things and solve all problems. Well, where do I start? “OcToBrass Range Builder TM is a new compact buzzing and practice instrument”. This toy has been around for a couple years and to describe it as a toy would…

Flow Studies by Vincent Cichowicz

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Seldom do we have the opportunity to have student’s insight shared in the teaching method of a world class trumpet teacher. When this interview was brought to my attention, I wanted to share it with you. For those of you who did not have the privilege of visiting with Mr. Cichowicz, I have included a small amount of background about this wonderful teacher. Although I had the occasion to spend some time with this him, I did not study with him. Many of my friends did and the comments given in this interview reflect the same respect that all of…

Thanks Jay

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The name Jay Daversa is not a well known name to the younger players but to the professional trumpet circle, he is very well known and respected; not only as a player but also a gifted arranger and composer. To the working musicians in Branson, the name Jay refers to one of our own and knowing and visiting with him is always a pleasure. His playing is always at the top of professionalism but few have much background in his musical life which extends from his teen age years to the present. To give you a small taste of where…

Why Should I Extend My Third Slide On Low D?

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Band directors are constantly asking their students to adjust their instruments on out of tune notes and unfortunately many students are unaware of the need. I will try to first identify the most difficult notes and suggest some exercises which will help students know exactly how much adjustment needs to be made. What notes are the most out of tune and why? All instruments with three valves face the same problem. Because of the length and acoustics of our instruments, there will be some notes or partials which will not be in tune. If you begin on the lowest open…

Gap Or No gap? That Is The Distance.

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To most players, the depth that the trumpet mouthpiece extends into the mouthpiece receiver means nothing. To some, it is imperative that the distance be calculated and established. To some, the controversy has never come up. We will try to first explain what is meant by the gap, then how it affects the trumpets playing characteristics and finally show how you can make the necessary adjustment in order to possibly change your instruments playing characteristics. What is meant by the term gap? The term gap refers to the distance from the end of the trumpet mouthpiece to the beginning of…