When it is 4:00 AM and you can’t get back to sleep, what do you do? As I lay in bed, thoughts of the past day, political debates, and discomfort from the last piece of pizza run through my head until I had to do something a little more productive and now I’m at the computer again. When I started thinking of this post this morning, my first thought was, will my wife truly understand the significance of this post. Will she grasp the concept of the comparison of memories of old trumpets, cornets, flugel horns, trombones, slide trumpets and the similarities…
Try it before you trash it!
One of my all-time goals was to make a brass ensemble arrangement/transcription sound as impressive as a string ensemble. In my opinion, it was accomplished with this work by G.F. Handel. We all would (should) admit that there is nothing as rich and warm as a string ensemble and to expect brass instruments to even come close to this wonderful sound would be impossible. As you listen to my recording, realize that even though I am satisfied with the results, there is still room for improvement. You might wonder why I am so excited about this combination of instruments and…
Political issues are things you should not address in a Blog such as ours, and I agree with this notion. But when it comes to financial stability, slave labor practices and out-right theft of intellectual property, I cannot stand by without expressing my feelings. In America, we are free to make your own decisions, but please continue reading to get a bigger picture of what a lower price will cost us. I spent this morning viewing a site online that greatly disturbed me. The heading read, “Best Trumpet China Trade,Buy China Direct From Best Once I recovered from the grammatic,…
When you reach the ripe old age of eighty years, nothing seems to impress you when it comes to birthday celebrations. Not until you experience what I recently enjoyed. It began with the usual birthday wishes on the net, in the mail and along the street. My wonderful wife blessed me with new limbs for my re-curved bow, a Bonsai planting kit and a very cozy travel blanket; all very thoughtful gifts, and greatly appreciated. But what came next was the “perfect high note at the end of a cadenza”! That evening I was treated to a fantastic meal shared by our entire…
If you have been following our “every two-year update” on the evolution of this creative musician, the name Victor Haskins might be familiar. My first encounter with Mr. Haskins’ musical abilities prompted my first post back in 2012- Please welcome Victor Haskins – Trumpet Blog (thetrumpetblog.com) Our second post Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back to our stage, Mr. Victor Haskins”. – Trumpet Blog (thetrumpetblog.com)followed on August 24, 2015. The third post, entitled My “2017” Update on our Friend Victor Haskins – Trumpet Blog (thetrumpetblog.com) appeared on January 6, 2017. The fourth installment appeared on this site on April 7, 2019- Victor Haskins Revisited, again and again…
Why you might ask is today the “Official Mouthpiece Cleaning Day” It’s because I declared it and it happened to be the day I needed to clean my mouthpieces……. So, be sure to do the following to insure that your mouthpiece is as clean as it should be. It is possible to play with a dirty mouthpiece as demonstrated by one of my outstanding teachers- When I got a call from Don Jacoby to sub for him on a gig in a local club I naturally said yes. When I got to the club, I had some extra time and because “Jake’s”…
True Art Comes in Many Forms Recently I have been visiting with a master of engraving who contacted me via our Facebook page. His first work was made for a talented young trumpeter and given to him as a present! After visiting more with this gentleman, I was able to learn more about his work and in further exchanges, I learned that he is originally from Hungary and now lives in Japan. He began as an accomplished glass engraver thirty-five years ago and began applying his talents to musical instruments only two years ago. Mr. Majzik uses a different technique…