August 19, 2020 I Stopped Playing Trumpet!
To my readers, this might come as a surprise for I have played this humbling instrument from my fourth grade days till now. You may ask why I have decided to forgo the trumpet and this is the purpose of this Blog. My decision to change comes from several different…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 6 “Use Visualization To Add Meaning To Each Phrase”
Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post explains how visualization can improve your performance This again couples words with your notes but in a slightly different way. For several decades I have used this process on…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 5 “The Length Of A Note Dictates Its Dynamic”
Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post explains why the length of each note dictates its dynamic level. Using again an example of a spoken sentence and how it mirrors musical interpretation, repeat the following- “…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 4 “Individual Note Dynamics”
Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of individual note dynamics in your music. Read this sentence out loud- “I want that car” Notice how the intent of the…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 3 “Phrase Dynamics”
Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of phrase dynamics in your music. Most written music offers some indication of dynamics but additional changes in your volume can give…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You? Part 2 “Articulation”
Welcome back and today we will discuss a major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of articulation in your music. Articulation- noun a: the act of giving utterance or expression b: the act or manner of articulating sounds c: an articulated utterance or sound The…
We Have Lost Another Great Trumpet Educator This Morning
Many may not know the name Keith Johnson but to trumpet players who have attended the University of Northern Iowa and the University of North Texas this name is well known. Our good friend Prof. Keith Johnson past away this morning and when more information is available, I will share…
Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?
At first reading most would consider that statement as a boasting, self centered comment made by a pompous egotist. And you might be correct in your opinion but do remember, all trumpet players are usually a little “big headed” about their art form. Today as I worked on my sites,…
A New Toy Gets A Look-Over
On an earlier post I showed what was used decades ago to alter your sound and octaves with the old Vox Octavoice. Now it’s time to see how things have improved in the digital world. Check out this video and learn what is possible to use today to improve or…
I Think We All Can Use An Escape- Let’s hear it for the “Mnozil Brass”
Mnozil Brass is an Austrian brass septet. They play classical, jazz and other styles of music using traditional brass instruments and more unusual instruments such as the customized rotary valved trumpet and bass trumpet. Music is presented with a typical Austrian style of humour, which can be approximately characterized as “jet black” and…