Search Results for “the worst performance”

My Two Worst Performances

written by Bruce Chidester on November 3, 2018

Trumpet Trends & News

Trumpet players seldom admit to failure mainly because of their inflated egos. It truly takes a big man to actually admit to an occasional faux pas on their instrument. So to lighten my soul and get it out in the open, I will share with the world my two worst performances in hopes that other such suffers can emerge from their own closet and admit their shortcomings. Worst Performance #1 While teaching at the University of Northern Iowa, the faculty was expected, from time to time, to perform a solo recital. Early in my tenure there I agreed to…

Dry mouth with Two Solutions

written by Bruce Chidester on March 30, 2022

Many times, we are faced with difficult conditions when performing under pressure and one of these conditions is dry mouth. A trumpet player with dry mouth is like a fish without water. Both conditions will result in a very bad situation. Common Causes of Dry mouth Dry mouth is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by: Not drinking adequate water Nervousness Stress Certain medications Aging Cancer therapy (radiation/chemotherapy) Smoking Methamphetamine use Injury or surgery Tobacco Exercising or playing in the heat Take note of conditions 2 (nervousness) and 3 (stress). These two are…

A Couple Helpful Suggestions On Cleaning Your Trumpet

written by Bruce Chidester on August 10, 2017

We have already posted several entries on how to clean your trumpet (see below) and why you need to regularly clean your instrument but this post adds to these suggestions. Recently I have found a couple new suggestions for improving your health as well as improving your instrument’s performance. When flushing clean water through you valve slides during cleaning, be sure to open the water keys if they are present. Deposits collect in the water key area and as the “snake” passes through the tubing, it forces debris into the channel where the condensation exits, making the water key area…

Chop Saver by Gosling (Update)

written by Bruce Chidester on February 25, 2016

In our previous post, we featured the product “Chop Saver” by Gosling and received several questions as to how effective it is. To answer these inquiries I can only say that the product works as well as Chap Stick and other products I have used through the years. The outstanding endorsements made by the musicians in our previous post should be enough information for all. Try the product and find out for yourself if it is something you need to include in your trumpet case. I have used both forms of this product and have been satisfied with their results…

What Causes Stage Fright and How Can it be Overcome?

written by Bruce Chidester on July 30, 2013

The lights go down, the audience begins their applause and you walk out from behind the curtains to perform your solo. As you reach your spot next to the piano, you notice the shaking in your legs and the extreme dryness in your mouth. As you acknowledge your accompanist you realize that you can’t breath or even remember your name. AND THEN IT GETS WORSE! If you have ever performed in front of an audience, no matter how large or small, you may have gone through a similar situation. It is even worse for trumpet players for we have chosen…

Springs have sprung

written by Bruce Chidester on June 4, 2013

To make sure your valves come back up after you press them down, manufacturers have furnished us with a set of springs which work very well for most of the time. Sometimes we are faced with valves which seem to hang up every so often and it usually happens at the worst time. Hesitant valves can be a real headache as I remember when I was in fifth grade and performing cornet solos with the Moline Boys Choir, of which I was a member. I had two solos to alternately perform in our concerts. It was usually when we had…

Marshall Lytle (September 1, 1933 – May 25, 2013)

written by Bruce Chidester on May 25, 2013

To have had the opportunity to watch this legend of Rock and Roll history perform was memorable, but have had the opportunity to visit with him was a true blessing. The information listed below was excerpted from Wikipedia were you can read more about this true legend. As one of the working musicians in Branson, Marshall could be seen around town and his smile could light up the darkest days. His laugh and stories could lift you out of your worst situations. His contribution to music and Rock and Roll in particular will be remembered for decades and as one…