How To Increase Strength and Speed In Your Valve Fingers

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This trick came to me by way of the great cornet player and leader of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Mr. Merle Evans. While enjoying the very infrequent resting period during one of the circus performances, I asked Mr. Evans if he knew any tricks to improve strength and speed in working ones valves. The following information was gleaned from the conversation. This conversion needs only to be temporary for after a few days you will notice an improvement in both your speed and strength in your valve fingers. Materials required for conversion- three extra valve springs.…

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Starting Over…again part 6- Reprinted from 2017 (We are way ahead of the others)

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This is what is being advertised as the “New” way to practice in limited spaces. Watch the new advertisement and then read what we were discussing more than 5 years ago. One of the greatest joys I have experienced while writing this blog for the past 7 years is when readers write in with their own views and opinions. This is a very fine example of such a reader. His name is Felice Sobrero and after viewing my post he left a comment on his experience with the same issue I was covering which was being able to practice in…

Make Your Own Mouthpiece Buzzing Adapter

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As you can see from the photo, my first Mouthpiece Buzzing Adapter was assembled many years ago, long before the more popular ones came on the market. I ran across mine this morning by accident and thought it would be an interesting project for you do-it-your-selfers out there. As close as I can remember, I put this one together about 30 years ago out of old trumpet parts. At that time, it was the only one that I knew of and it worked very well, and still does. There are commercially designed and manufactured models of the basic concept and…

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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…

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…

Best light for your stand

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We all from time to time need a little help when the stage is dark or our eyes have faded through the years. I recently came across this little wonder that has completely sold me and for that reason I have purchased four units for our Robson Chamber Ensemble. Some of the outstanding features are as follows- Rechargeable through the included USB cable Extended life on each charge Three levels of brightness Heavy duty clip for a secure connection to any stand Very flexible arm for easy positioning More than enough brightness for any situation Small enough to fit in…

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Bent Mouthpieces- Good or Bad? Part 2

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I felt it was only fair to share others musicians views on this subject and to do so I visited the Internet to collect these thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of bending a mouthpiece. Some responses agree with me and some do not. It is not my job to argue with anyone on their experience in this area or in any area but just as Fox News advertises, this is a fair and balanced report. Please consider the source for not everything on the internet can be accurate, including my views. Related comments from the Internet on bent mouthpieces…

Bent Mouthpieces- Good or Bad? Part 1

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This past week the advantages and disadvantages of a bent mouthpiece surfaced again. To those of you who may not be familiar with the term “bent mouthpiece”, let me explain. Many years ago in a far off land lived a very good trumpet player who wanted to play in a local band. When attending his first rehearsal, the conductor recommended to him that he should play with his bell above the stand so that he could be better heard. Knowing that his existence in this fine ensemble was in jeopardy if he did not comply, the young man obliged by…

Which Flugel Horn Is The Best?

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While trying to complete my coverage of the flugel horn, I decided to see what typical trumpet/flugel horn players say about the many instruments available on the market today. I have included only the material found on one site in a span of two weeks- “The Yamaha Flugels are great all around flugels”. …”the Adams line. I truly believe they are making hands down the best flugelhorns and also the most diverse flugelhorns in the world”. “I play quite a bit of flugel and I sold my Couesnon when I got the V1 (Conn). I also played as many other…