Long Tones- 10 Reason To Do Them

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We all understand what long tones are. They’re long tones! But did you ever wonder why they are recommended and what benefits we can gain from this tedious practice? 10 benefits of long tones- 1. Long tones help develop strength- by sustaining a note for an extended period of time, the muscles in the embouchure are forced to sustain their current position and thus improve the strength of those muscles. 2. Long tones give you the opportunity to listen to your sound- by listening to your sound; there is a natural tendency to improve on what you are listening to.…

Please Put Your Hands Together For My Very Good Friend, Jason C. Brewer

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From time to time you cross paths with people who are perfect examples of “good people” and Jason Brewer is one of those kind of people. Let me introduce you to one of my favorite players and good friend…..Jason Brewer. Jason C. Brewer is an American trumpeter who has his own style and signature sound. He is known for playing a variety of music including gospel, jazz, Hip Hop and R&B. Brewer is at home playing anything from bop to hip hop. He started playing music in the church over 40 years ago becoming proficient on bass and drums, as…

Where Have All Our (Trumpet) Heroes Gone?

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While returning from two of my doctor’s appointments today, I had an interesting thought come to mind. What current trumpet players have replaced our many heroes of the past? Chronological List of Trumpet/Cornet Heroes of the Past (my opinion) Born during the 1800s Joseph Jean-Baptiste Laurent Arban (28 February 1825 – 8 April 1889) was a cornetist, conductor, composer, pedagogue and the first famed virtuoso of the cornet à piston or valved cornet. Herbert Lincoln Clarke (September 12, 1867 – January 30, 1945) was an American cornet player, feature soloist, bandmaster, and composer. He is considered the most prominent cornetist…

15 Reasons Why the Trumpet is The Most Difficult Instrument to play

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Some may question the validity of this statement but those that do most often are wrong. I will list my reasons and give a light hearted account of why this is the case. 1. Trumpets most often play the melody so everyone knows if we play the wrong notes. Unlike the Bassoon, which plays notes that only Canada geese can hear, the trumpet is expected to play every note the way it was intended. 2. Trumpets are loud. When was the last time a conductor requested that a triangle player play louder? 3. Trumpets are pointed directly towards the listener.…