Easier Way to Copy Solos and Make Record Copies

written by on

For years we have tried to copy outstanding solos and wonderful orchestral scores from recordings but the time taken for this laborious task was far greater than anyone wanted to spend. With the introduction of digital control, things got a lot easier. Even with digital recordings we still have to go through the painful chore of isolating one note or chord after another in order to document it on paper. I hope the following material will help you speed the process as well as improving your accuracy in notating solos and scores on paper. Step 1. Install the program Audacity from…

Share
  • spread the world
2297 views

Historically (Hysterically) Important Advice for Cornet/Trumpet Players- Part #2

written by on

This is part #2 from the advice given in the duet collection Celebrated Practice Duets by Arthur Amsden. Don’t fail to pour water through your cornet before beginning the day’s work; never mind WHY, just DO IT and note the benefit of this simple advice. allow yourself to acquire a tremolo in your tone; nothing can be more objectionable than a cheap, shivery, trembling tone “a goat-stop” tone is a performers worst asset. hold your instrument too high or too low, and by all means don’t hold it sideways, that’s an unmistakable sign that you’re a novice. beat time with…

Historically (Hysterically) Important Advice for Cornet/Trumpet Players

written by on

On February 1, 1918 a wonderful collection of duets was published by Arthur Amsden which was titled “Celebrated Practice Duets”. We are indebted to the composer for sharing his compositions with us and if you are in need of a very large (70) collection of excellent duets of varying difficulty, I strongly recommend you purchase this collection. A friend introduced me to this book and each week we play through it to keep both our chops up as well as our reading skills (thanks Doyle). This past week I shared my copy with another new trumpet friend (thanks Steve) and…

Share
  • spread the world
2204 views

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

written by on

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…

How Can I Learn To Play Jazz?

written by on

I have been involved with jazz music most of my life and have been asked that question often. Many books and systems have been written on this subject and most will improve your ability to improvise, but I have learned through close observation of many players, not everyone can excel in this field. This situation can be attributed to several factors and one I hold to be true is that not everyone can learn to play jazz at an acceptable level. One of my very best musician friends was an avid jazz enthusiast and spent most of his life listening…

Share
  • spread the world
2959 views

When I Grow Up I Want To Play Like Bobby Shew

written by on

That is a strange statement coming from a nearly eighty years old trumpet player, but that is how I would have liked to have played. Bobby has had a tremendous impact on the trumpet world, not only because of his beautiful sound, range and very gifted improvisational skills, but his contribution to trumpet education and equipment advances have also been important. Before I continue with his many accolades, let me first tell you of the first time I met this giant of the horn. I first met Mr. Shew when I picked him up at a high school in the…

Share
  • spread the world
2527 views

Trumpet Players Need To Listen More To Singers- Part I “Articulation”

written by on

Part I- Articulation Recently I have been transcribing vocal solos into trumpet solos. In doing this, one difference in presentations that I have noticed is the difference in articulation between the two mediums. Vocalists connect each note where as many less proficient trumpet players leave spaces between each note. As an example sing the well known song “Happy Birthday” and notice the smooth transition between each word and pitch change. The air is moving constantly as the singers enunciation of each word and syllable changes. Now play the same song on your instrument and notice the stop and go pattern…

Share
  • spread the world
1336 views

High Range Methods- Current Approaches

written by on

This posting includes a warning! “What you are about to read and view, can be of help to playing more easily in the upper register. This material includes very reasonable and sensible methods and, if followed carefully, should improve you high notes. Also in this post are examples of extremely high playing and in no way should you try to achieve today what these players have developed through years of practice. Any attempt to duplicate their high notes can and will spit your lip wide open and cause massive bleeding and unmatchable pain and suffering. The author of this blog…

Share
  • spread the world
4079 views

The Double Tonguing Challenge

written by on

From time to time I think up some interesting challenges for my readers and this post is one of the most practical when learning or improving ones double tonguing technique. Everyone recognizes the “Orange Blossom Special” but few have had the courage and desire to perform it on a trumpet. There might be a logical reason why this has not been done, but onward we trudge. I have prepared this little exercise in order to help me gain access to this fiddle tune for I have challenged my Bluegrass ensemble to accompany me on it next season and I can’t think of a better way…

Share
  • spread the world
1713 views