I saw his last concert. His plane crashed only an hour or so after his last note ended in the hall. What a loss. We miss you Bill…..

What can I say……….? (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));

As the responses to our survey continue to trickle in, I will keep you up-to-date as to the most requested areas to address when improving our trumpet playing. At the present time, here are the results listed from the most important to the least important. Extremely important High Range Flexibility Breathing and Breath control Intonation Tone Improvisation Endurance Moderately important Sight -reading Tonguing Power/ Volume Finger technique Counting Shakes Transposition Pedal Tones Performing in an orchestra Posture Preparing a solo Preparing for an audition Playing a show Least important Scales Vibrato Lip Trills Mouthpiece Placement Performing with an orchestra Literature…

If I were asked to name just one area most trumpet players seem to request assistance, it would overwhelmingly be high range playing. Every player seems to be consumed with this area of their playing. This is true even with players who are able to easily play well above high C. Range ability seems to be similar to a person’s opinion of their weight. They want to lose weight but are not dedicated enough to do anything about it. Another area which seems to be a problem with many players is endurance. Usually these are the players who are working.…

Now it is time to decide on which format and eventually on your chosen instructor. To help you finalize your decision, I have listed a few criterion which may help you decide. Which format best suites your needs? Skype Lessons YouTube Lessons DVD Lessons Subscription Lessons Subscription Lessons with additional Skype visit(s) When deciding most options, it is easier to eliminate those which do not fit your needs first. To illustrate my point, I will work through this list and justify my eventual decision. Skype lessons are great for they allow both the teacher and the student to interact with…

Skype lesson examples #1 Cost of lesson- per hour $45 Topics covered- Fundamental Technique (embouchure, breathing, tone production, tonguing, etc.) Style (phrasing, interpretation, genre-specific practices, etc.) Endurance and Range. Endorsements- None Levels of instruction- All #2 Cost of lesson- Beginning to Intermediate $50 for 30-45 minutes Intermediate to Advanced $70 for 45-60 minutes Advanced $100 or 60 minutes Topics covered- Beginning to Intermediate- Embouchure, posture, breathing and mouthpiece placement Intermediate to Advanced- Lead trumpet playing, improvisation, playing in a section Advanced- how to become a professional musician, improvisation Endorsements- None Levels of instruction- All #3 Cost of lesson- $50 per…

Now that we have given our readers a little background on the development of distant education, it is time to dig deeper into what is currently used as a method of delivery to the student. Listed below are a few of the methods of delivery instructors are currently using on the internet- • Skype lessons- When taking a lesson through the program Skype, the instructor and student communicate in time through a video/audio connection. The program software is free and can be downloaded from this site. • YouTube lessons- YouTube is another possible site for trumpet lessons. Many times these…

Before On Line anything, the term used for similar instruction was called Distance Education. Distance Education was used years ago to describe any material taught in locations other than the traditional class room setting. Distance Education included Extension Classes taught off campus in nearby communities and was also offered with a video connection from the instructor on campus to another site or with the instructor traveling to the off campus site. As technology began to advance with the establishment of the Internet, more and more classes were taught through this video format. While teaching at the University of Northern Iowa,…

The material below was given to me by one of the most talented and dedicated musicians I have had the pleasure to work with. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a rousing applause for ……..Larkin. “I was inspired to start a music festival after attending Chamber Music Midwest in New Richmond, WI, a music festival that was created by one of my best friends (Clare Harmon). At CMM, I was the resident clarinetist and composer. I joked that I’d call it the “Taneycomo Festival Orchestra (after Lake Taneycomo), and the name stuck. Three months later, we incorporated the orchestra as a…