Big Mouthpiece or Small Mouthpiece? That Is The Question.

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This has been a constant decision for all trumpet players. The large mouthpiece gives you a big, dark, rich sound but on the other hand, the small mouthpiece makes the upper register easier to play. I will try to illustrate the advantages as well as the disadvantages when trying to select your perfect mouthpiece. Big is big and small is small. The larger the mouthpiece the more air you will be able to push through your horn and the smaller the mouthpiece the less air you are able to utilize. Now at this point, I have lost half of my…

Are Spitballs In Your Future?

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This product has been on the market for many years and my first contact is worth sharing. When first introduced to the brass playing world, the ease of cleaning my instrument with these objects was very appealing to my ears. So, I purchased a jar and ran one or two of these time saving gadgets through my horn. Presto, my instrument was cleaned. That was the good news. The bad news happened the first time I mentioned these instrument cleaning projectiles to a room full of high school band students. Shortly after our Faculty Brass Quintet returned to our campus,…

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 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- 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…

Basic Music Theory

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For those who have not had much music theory, I hope this may answer some of your questions. If you still have questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will try to answer them. Basic Music Theory

Would you like to increase your air intake? So would I.

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As most of my readers know by now with my heart attack from two years back, one of the side effects was that I lost about half of my vital capacity (total air intake). While in physical therapy, I asked my therapist if it would ever come back and in a very encouraging fashion she assured me that it would eventually return. It didn’t. The reason I was able to recognize the actual amount of this loss was from the fact that most of my practice material is pre-recorded with click tracks. Exercises which were played in one breath now…