How To Play A Flugel Horn

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Most trumpet players approach the flugel in the same way they approach their trumpet- put it to your face and blow! Although this works, it might not be the best way to get the most out of your instrument. As I covered in a previous post, the two instruments are constructed differently and their use and even playing style are different. Both the trumpet and the flugel horn are played basically the same. Both also play the same range of notes with the same fingerings. The difference between the two lies in the application and playing style of the player.…

How To Become A Better “Second Chair” Trumpet Player

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Many years ago I visited with a great trumpet player at North Texas State. His name was Larry Ford. Larry, unfortunately past away at a very early age and we who knew him, miss him greatly. During our visit, I mentioned that I preferred playing second parts over lead parts and his response was, “Why? Playing second part is much more difficult than playing lead”. In some ways he was correct. Playing lead has definite requirements and second part players also have their own distinct responsibilities. As a lead player, you are expected to play with assurance and power. As…

How Old Should Your Child Be When Starting to Play A Brass Instrument? Part 2

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What mental requirements are necessary before the child should start playing an instrument? When speaking of mental requirements, I am not referring to a mentally challenged or impaired child. I am speaking of the average child with the usual mental capacity. To succeed at any musical instrument, the student must be able to understand the importance of regular practice. Practicing regularly to some might mean “practice when you feel like it” or “when it is convenient”. This is the type of student that will most likely tire quickly of the discipline required for advancement on a brass instrument. I have…

How Old Should Your Child Be When Starting To Play A Brass Instrument? Part 1

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This seems to be a hot topic on the national trumpet bulletin boards and I’m not sure there is a definitive answer to the question. Each individual will have to make his/her own decision on this one. Some young players have been very successful while others have failed miserably at the quest. It will be my intent in this post to bring light on both advantages as well as disadvantages when considering a very young child’s first experience on a musical instrument. Important issues to consider when starting a child on a musical instrument- Does the child have any interest…

High Range Methods- Traditional

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I will group the “Old School” approach to improving high range as any method using traditional methods which would include improvement one half-step at a time over a period with constant repetition. The highest note in the entire Arban Method is only a high C. Did you ever wonder why this appened.? Why was such a popular and authoritative work so limiting in the upper register? I’m not sure anyone would have the real reason for many factors affected the material at that period of time. It is interesting to read the review of  Arban’s material when he submitted it…

High Range Methods- Pedal Tones

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The use of pedal tones is like eating Chinese food; you either love it or hate it. I’m not sure who should be given credit for the use of pedal tones but my guess would be that it had something to do with playing the Circus. If you have ever played the circus, and I am speaking of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus, you know what I am talking about. I’m sure that there are trumpet players around who enjoyed the experience and I am also confident that those players also enjoy have a root canal done on…

High Range Trumpet Methods- Introduction

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One of the most asked questions from students is this, “How can I learn to play high notes?” Seldom do players ask how they can improve their tone, endurance or any of the equally important areas of development. While giving clinics both with the faculty brass quintet as well as individual clinics, I have often been asked, “How high can you play?” My answer to that question was usually “I can play one note higher than I am asked to play”. Although they seldom understood what I meant by the statement, my response did answer the question. I have never…

The North Texas Shuffle

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While a student at North Texas, I was shown a very helpful trick which I still use every day in my playing. I called it the “North Texas Shuffle” and it goes like this. As we tap out feet, (when allowed by the director) most use one foot to complete the task. By doing this you have no idea as to where you are in each measure. But if you do the “North Texas Shuffle” your problems will be solved. How to do the North Texas Shuffle- Tap your left foot on beats 1 and 3 and your right foot…

How to Identify and Deal with Excessive Mouthpiece Pressure- Part 2

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  Mouthpiece pressure begins with the hands. #1. The easiest solution All mouthpiece pressure begins with the hands. Holding the instrument is the only way we can play the instrument so it is logical our first step to lesson the pressure on the lip would be to  lessening the grip on the horn. Now visit another of my blogs “Left hand Playing Position”  illustrating a “lower left hand position” which will automatically lessen your mouthpiece pressure. By using this lower, left hand position, you will begin to lessen your pressure without any major changes to your playing style. The next…

How to Identify and Deal with Excessive Mouthpiece Pressure- Part 1

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Before we get into the how and why of excessive mouthpiece pressure, we need to identify what it actually is and establish how it is produced. What is mouthpiece pressure? When the rim of a brass instruments mouthpiece comes in contact with the lip, it produces mouthpiece pressure on the lip. Some pressure is required in order to seal the two from leaking air as the player begins to blow through the lips. If too little pressure is exerted you will have air leaks. If too much mouthpiece pressure is exerted, the player will limit the vibration of the lips…