Super Chops in 30 Days!

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Take my New Year’s challenge and develop strong chops in 30 days…… For the past several years I have been plagued with continuous health problems which have limited my ability and desire to practice on a regular basis. It started five years ago with damage to my left shin which produced severe nerve damage to that area requiring me to be on a pain killer (Gabapentin) for the past five years. Then while performing on a show in Branson (see photo above) three years ago, I sustained a heart attack which required several procedures which included medications as well as…

Where Does Motivation Come From?

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The reason we are motivated can vary for each individual’s situation is different. My motivation to practice my chosen instrument may be much different than yours but this individual motivation is what forces us to spend countless hours in a practice room pounding out boring exercises day after day. My motivation for practicing is the fear that my playing would not be acceptable to my listener. To miss one note seems to diminish my value as a musician in my mind. This stems from my early days while growing up in Moline, Illinois. My parents, although interested, were the old…

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More Reasons Why You Can’t Play High Notes- Part IV

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This is the second part of this post and will continue with the following areas- Equipment Big Mouthpiece or Small Mouthpiece? That Is The Question. Part 3 Big Mouthpiece or Small Mouthpiece? That Is The Question. Part 2 Big Mouthpiece or Small Mouthpiece? That Is The Question. Small Mouthpiece vs. Large Mouthpiece How To Place Your Mouthpiece In Your Horn Helpful Suggestions The Trumpet Player’s Octave Key Wet or Dry- That is a Question High Note Entrances Made Easier How to Combat “Stiff Chops” The Correct Embouchure- “Why we teach it incorrectly” Rest As Much As You Play Do You…

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More Reasons Why You Can’t Play High Notes- Part III

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After reading Part I and II of this series, you may still have questions as to why the high notes are not your friends and for that reason I will continue with the more traditional answers to this popular dilemma. It could be possible that you are not playing your instrument correctly and I will list some areas where you should check to make sure that everything is working as it should to reach the higher register. Here are some issues with links to some information that you might find helpful- Mouthpiece placement Finding the Correct Mouthpiece Placement Trumpet Mouthpiece…

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Six Reasons Why You Can’t Play High Notes- Part II

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Continuing with our review of reasons some of us are lacking a better high range……. Reason #3- You need to work harder. I can attest not only from my experience but the history of watching many students go through the pains and suffering of “working harder” with limited success. It is true that added practicing will increase your upper range just as the extra practicing on the Clarke Technical Studies will improve your finger control as well as your ability to play in more than one key. But the question still stands, why do some play with ease in the…

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Six Reasons Why You Can’t Play High Notes- Part I

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Without question the most often concern among trumpet players is this “How can I play high notes”? Every trumpet player wants to increase his/her upper register and will do anything or buy anything that promises this utopia area of the trumpet players available and allusive range. Why do some have the gift while others (including yours truly) suffer here in the kiddy’s wading pool? At this point in time, no one knows and although many have squandered time and money to find the reason for this inequity, we still spend more time and money to find the answer. I will…

Now Here Is A Great Idea!

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One of my very good friends is Jen Houck and when she sent me this picture of her new trumpet bathtub, I ask her to share her experience with our readers. Please give it up for a great trumpet player and good friend Jen Houck “I have been following Bruce’s Trumpet Blog posts for quite a while now and have really learned a lot of very useful information here. I am an “older” come-back trumpet player always on the lookout for ideas to make my life a bit easier. Recently he posted a video on how to correctly clean your…

Lesson Plans for Professional Players- part 3

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Be able to play all of the material listed below; Tone and flexibility All of Earl Irons “27 Groups of Exercises” Charles Colin’s “Advanced Lip Flexibilities” Valve technique and range exercises Herbert L. Clarke’s “Technical Studies For The Cornet” Walter M. Eby’s “Scientific Method for Cornet and Trumpet- Part 4” (professional) Sight reading and etude playing Arban’s “Complete Conservatory Method” Vincent Cichowicz’s “Trumpet Flow Studies” Ensemble playing Arthur Amsden’s “Celebrated Practice Duets” Bud Brisbois’s “Trumpet Today- Jazz Duets” Always be preparing a new solo Henri Tomasi Concerto for Trumpet The Second Brandenburg Concerto And lastly, “always try to get paid…

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Lesson Plans For Those Without An Instructor Part 2- Lesson plans for Younger Players and Comeback Players

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Areas to be developed by younger players and comeback players- Tone and flexibility Valve technique and range exercises Sight reading and etude playing Ensemble playing Always be preparing a new solo The attached material will give you specific exercises to use in order to begin to develop the areas listed above. Lesson Plan II Sight reading and etude playing

Lesson Plans For Those Without An Instructor- Part 1

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We have all had private lessons at some time in our lives and, in most cases, realize the importance of this experience. Unfortunately we are sometimes left to our own schedules or are in an area which does not include competent teachers and for that reason I wanted to address this problem. Studying with a competent teacher is very important if only because you are forced to practice regularly. There is something about going to a lesson ill prepared that makes us practice. We brush our teeth every day, take showers regularly and take our vitamins regularly but when it…

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