Jazz Is Alive and Well in Sherman, Texas…

written by Bruce Chidester on January 7, 2025

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 Jazz fan! If you think you know a lot about the history of Jazz, you are delusional! I encourage you to experience a true transformation back to the time of the big bands, tight Jazz combos and the legacy, history and “feel” of America’s only true art form. You need…

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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…

Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain Continued

written by Bruce Chidester

Read first…. Pounding Pain In The Back Of The Brain – Trumpet Blog Today was a very productive day with a specialist responsible for CT scanning my complete circulatory system. While spending three hours on an examination table in my local Dr’s. Office, I gained additional information on why high,…

How Old Should Your Child Be When Starting To Play A Brass Instrument? Part 1

written by Bruce Chidester

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…

High Range Methods- Traditional

written by Bruce Chidester

I will group the “Old School” approach to improving high range as any method using traditional methods which would include improvement one half-step at a time over a period with constant repetition. The highest note in the entire Arban Method is only a high C. Did you ever wonder why…

High Range Methods- Pedal Tones

written by Bruce Chidester

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…

High Range Trumpet Methods- Introduction

written by Bruce Chidester

One of the most asked questions from students is this, “How can I learn to play high notes?” Seldom do players ask how they can improve their tone, endurance or any of the equally important areas of development. While giving clinics both with the faculty brass quintet as well as…

Trumpet Trends & News

Old Trumpet Players

written by Bruce Chidester

For those concerned about my current ability on the horn, let me assure you that even at the ripe old age of 78, I still have a few high C’s in my bag of tricks as illustrated by the following recording I did a few years ago shortly after my…

Why Do We Have To Practice?

written by Bruce Chidester

In two words……we don’t. Why do we have to brush our teeth? In two words……we don’t. But, if we want to play well just as we may want to keep our teeth, we have to do things if we want a favorable outcome. As a young aspiring musician, I spent…

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Trick or Treat at the Robson Ranch

written by Bruce Chidester

Thanks for the photo Corky……

The North Texas Shuffle

written by Bruce Chidester

While a student at North Texas, I was shown a very helpful trick which I still use every day in my playing. I called it the “North Texas Shuffle” and it goes like this. As we tap out feet, (when allowed by the director) most use one foot to complete…

How to Identify and Deal with Excessive Mouthpiece Pressure- Part 2

written by Bruce Chidester

Mouthpiece pressure begins with the hands. #1. The easiest solution All mouthpiece pressure begins with the hands. Holding the instrument is the only way we can play the instrument so it is logical our first step to lesson the pressure on the lip would be to lessening the grip…

How to Identify and Deal with Excessive Mouthpiece Pressure- Part 1

written by Bruce Chidester

Before we get into the how and why of excessive mouthpiece pressure, we need to identify what it actually is and establish how it is produced. What is mouthpiece pressure? When the rim of a brass instruments mouthpiece comes in contact with the lip, it produces mouthpiece pressure on the…