Technology and Trumpet Playing

written by Bruce Chidester on January 13, 2025

We live in a very fast passed world which includes constant innovations in all areas of our lives. Artificial Intelligence has changed the way we collect information, advancements in medicine is prolonging our lives as well as improvements even in our automobiles and manufacturing practices. But who could have predicted that printing in 3D would be helpful in prolonging my Trumpet career? During a recent biopsy of my right upper lung, I was told that I had developed cancer. That was not the information I was hoping for but during this same procedure, I also incurred another disappointment. During the…

Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

written by Bruce Chidester

If you have not spent some time in Sherman, Texas, you have missed an event that you would have remembered for the rest of your life. If you are a Jazz fan and have not experienced the amazing collection of Jazz memorabilia in Sherman, Texas, you are not a true…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 2

written by Bruce Chidester

After reading our first post, Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1 – Trumpet Blog , some may ask why these miraculous changes occurred? Were they simple coincidences or is there actually power in prayer? Only each individual will be able to answer this question. But,…

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Is There A God and Can He Perform Miracles? Part 1

written by Bruce Chidester

The past year has had many unexpected turns which can test one’s faith and understanding of life. April of last year began unexpectedly when it was discovered that my wife had developed cancer in her right eye. After its extraction we were faced with the saddening fact that the cancer…

Fast and Simple Relief from Cold Sores, Canker Sores and Sore Throats

written by Bruce Chidester

Earlier in my life I was constantly plagues with multiple canker sores which interfered with my trumpet playing. For some reason, they always seem to locate in the most inopportune places on my lip and at the worst times; most often before a concert or solo/ensemble contest. These dastardly villains…

Inspiration or Complete Humiliation?

written by Bruce Chidester

Each day I practice my Clarke Technical Studies and slur up and down on my Advanced Lip Flexibilities exercises. Every day I play my long tones and range exercises. Then… I view a video of the “Good Guys” and I throw up my hands in despair. Yes, in the morning,…

Free- Foundation To Cornet Playing

written by Bruce Chidester

Foundation To Cornet Playing An Elementary Method printed in 1914 by Edwin Franko Goldman. If nothing else, reading this document will give you some idea as to how far we have progressed in brass literature…….. Edwin Franko Goldman (January 1, 1878 – February 21, 1956) was an American composer and…

Trumpet Trends & News

My Visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Texas)

written by Bruce Chidester

This past weekend was spent with our family at Broken Bow, Oklahoma. To say it was a wonderful time would be grossly understated for quality time with family is what life is all about. Now to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas. While returning from our wonderful time in Broken…

Just Got An Update From Our Friends at the Villages Trumpet Ensemble in Florida.

written by Bruce Chidester

This was sent to us from our good friend Corky Maschinot The pictures below show the way we were several years ago, and how we are today. Most, but not all members are pictured here. We total 26 when all are present. To learn more about this talented ensemble, check…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 7)

written by Bruce Chidester

Short but helpful suggestions: Handling the hose- To keep from being strangled to death with your hose, run it from your machine over the back of the headboard and down to your pillow. In this way it is controlled and you will not fight it all night as you move…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 6)

written by Bruce Chidester

Do you have to use your machine every night? NO! Knowing that involuntary habits can actually be retrained made me wonder if the Bipap/Cpap therapy is something that needs to be continued indefinitely. My answer to that question (in my case) is an emphatic No! I began my test to…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 5)

written by Bruce Chidester

#1 Complaint- Dry mouth After visiting with other sufferers of Sleep Apnea, the most consistent complaint seemed to be dry mouth. The dryness in my mouth each morning was so severe that I eventually developed a lesion in the back of my throat which progressed into a serious problem. After…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 4)

written by Bruce Chidester

Setting up the equipment The next step after gleaning this useless information was to receive your own machine which will solve all of your Sleep Apnea problems. My first question at that time was, “How can an involuntary action (apnea episodes) be retrained to become voluntary actions”? I was assured…

Sleep apnea – What they don’t tell you! (Part 3)

written by Bruce Chidester

Results not accurate My experience during my sleep test can only be described as exceedingly uncomfortable. Throughout the night, I was forcibly ventilated through the mask covering my mouth and nose. Repeatedly I was told that it would eventually normalize to my natural breathing pattern but unfortunately it never did.…