Learn How To Arrange Music For Your Ensemble Without Knowing How To Arrange Music For Your Ensemble

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You might think that statement is a little confusing but knowing how to do something is not necessarily the same as being able to do something without knowing how it is done. Several readers have asked how they can arrange music for their ensemble even thou they have no knowledge of music theory or basic rules of harmony and voice leading. For those interested in this process I will give some pointers on how this can be accomplished. Even without music theory, anyone can arrange music with the help of a simple yet powerful program available at no cost. Our…

How to Build a Balanced Embouchure

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Your first question might be, “What is a balanced embouchure”? A balanced embouchure is the facial set of muscles which are used to produce acceptable musical tones when required. How many times have you heard this “I’ve been practicing for a long time now and I have strong chops and my endurance is great, but my high notes are coming down, my flexibility is getting worse, and my tone sounds forced”! And the flip side of that comment sounds like this “My high range is incredible; my flexibility is wonderful, and my tone sounds rich and centered but my endurance…

Multi-tracking- Part 1 Using Click Tracks

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We have had many responses to our post describing the use of the Audacity software and for that reason; I thought it would be time to discuss some of the advantages as well as the disadvantages of multi-tracking. Multi-tracking is a technique where several recordings (tracks) are combined in order to augment instrumentation and add to the thickness of a recording. Some use the technique of over dubbing to fatten a sound and some use it to utilize a copied track for adding effects. I will first describe the use of multi-tracking in order to play duets, trios, quartet, etc.…

Update on “Clocking Trumpet Mouthpieces”

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On July 10 of this year, I contacted my AI source (openai.com) to establish the top twenty most popular mouthpiece manufactures at that time. From the list of twenty manufacturers, I was able to locate nineteen who are listed below- Bach Yamaha Schilke Warburton Monette Denis Wick Curry GR Mouthpieces Marcinkiewicz Pickett Brass Stork Custom Mouthpieces Kanstul Jet Tone Giardinelli Reeves JK Mouthpieces ACB (Austin Custom Brass) CarolBrass Doug Elliott Mouthpieces   From the list of twenty, I received five responses- Home – Stork Custom Mouthpieces grmouthpieces.com Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces Mouthpieces – Brass & Woodwinds – Musical Instruments -…

Blog # 1,002- Thank You All for Following thetrumpetblog.com

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This post has been listed as our 1,002 Post and to all who have followed us through the years, “Thank You”. We would like to thank our readers for their continued support and send a special thank you to these sites who have also supported our postings through the years. __________________________________________________________________________ 20 Best Trumpet Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2022 (feedspot.com) This site has listed our blog #1 Trumpet Blog every year for the past seven years. #1. The Trumpet Blog | Blogging anything & everything trumpet Branson, Missouri, US ”The Trumpet Blog regularly posts information related to trumpets and…

Clocking Mouthpieces- A Practice from the Past

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My first introduction to clocking a brass instrument mouthpiece began several decades ago when I was returning home from Willard Elementary School in Moline, Illinois. On the way home I stopped at a local gas station to visit with its owner.  That day I happened to be lugging my Olds Recording cornet home with me and as I visited with the proprietor, we were joined by a customer who aggressively questioned, “Hey kid, what are you doing with that horn”. As a grade school youth, I was more than intimidate as I replied, “I’m taking it home to practice” was…

Substantiating Evidence That All Trumpet Mouthpieces are Not Equal (or consistent).

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In a previous post, I addressed the practice of “Clocking” your mouthpiece (“Clocking” Your Mouthpiece Part #2 – Trumpet Blog (thetrumpetblog.com). At the end of my post, I admitted to the possibility that rotating one’s mouthpiece can and did change the sound as well as a resistance factor. In the same article I admitted that I was originally skeptical of this technique but after trying it myself, I was convinced that the rotation made a difference in the final outcome. I also admitted that I had no idea why this happened. I recently had the pleasure of visiting with someone…

Practicing on the Road

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Much discussion has been raise over the noise factor when practicing on the road and for that reason I wanted to give just another suggestion for solving this problem. Next week I will be on one of our vacations and because of the luggage limitations, I will not be able to take my horn. *&%^%$#@#% I did plan to carry my mouthpiece with me but buzzing on a mouthpiece is not the same as buzzing on a horn. The resistance is such that I end up deciding I wouldn’t do that again. Also the buzzing sound tends to annoy my…

Required Listening Assignment

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As the interest in Trumpet choirs continues to grow, some ensembles seem to occupy the highest level of professionalism. Such is the case for the San Luis Obispo County Trumpet Alliance and their most accomplished director Warren Balfour. I have had the pleasure of knowing and following this remarkable ensemble for several years and continue to be impressed not only with their playing ability but also their range of music which spans everything from Bach to Rock. If this talented ensemble is new to you, be sure to check out all of their videos and if you happen to be…