Designed in Australia by Lisa Holownia, BuzzBuddy provides a lip cushion to make it more comfortable to play. It has revolutionised trumpet playing for students with braces or dental work and is also great for outdoor playing. Lisa talks to us here about the process of design and what brought her to create BuzzBuddy in the first place.
Category: Advice
NEW : Educational Resources
This new page has a variety of resources that I hope that you will find useful. Fellow teachers will find these to be easily accessible and understandable. These are all concepts and exercises that I have used with my own pre-college students over the past 25 years, and have also found lots of these to… Continue reading NEW : Educational Resources
Agami Trumpets : Instrument Review
It is rare to be sent something through for review that has been this highly anticipated. The Agami Trumpet range is the brainchild of Thierry Sohier and has been 7 years in development. There are a number of different configurations focussing on changes of bell alloy material to give variety of timbre and playability for… Continue reading Agami Trumpets : Instrument Review
Using Guitar Pedals for an Innovative Trumpet Sound
The widespread use of the trumpet in music dates back to jazz in the early 20s, but we hear it in so much more music today. Aside from blending in classic orchestral pieces, trumpets can elevate a piece's melody because of their distinct sound. But how do we further innovate the sound of the trumpet?Trumpets… Continue reading Using Guitar Pedals for an Innovative Trumpet Sound
Arban Variations
Arban's 'Cornet Method' is often referred to as the brass players' bible. It addresses many aspects of brass playing, both technically and musically, and with the right guidance is a superb tool for any player's development. However, many young players struggle with HOW to practise the exercises within this book, and many a copy is… Continue reading Arban Variations
The Carmine Caruso Legacy
I think that the concept of a saxophonist and former violinist becoming one of the most well-respected and well-known trumpet (and brass) teachers is a fascinating one. His callisthenic approach will be well-known to many readers through his publications, but in addition to this concentration on the physical synchronisation of different muscle groups, he also… Continue reading The Carmine Caruso Legacy
Home Recording for Trumpeters
Over the past few months, many of the articles that I have worked on and industry pros that I have interviewed, emphasise how working life has changed drastically since the start of 2020 lockdown. With that in mind, it would be great to explore how we can successfully manage our recordings remotely now that we are all having to work with a greater degree of isolation.
Finding the perfect orchestral mouthpiece
I have spent a lot of time recently (mainly virtually!) working with players who have used this enforced period of time off to look at new and possibly better mouthpiece options for themselves. Many classical, and particularly specialist orchestral players are traditionally very conservative in their choices and often choose to stick to the ‘tried… Continue reading Finding the perfect orchestral mouthpiece
How to Clean the Trumpet
Keep your horn clean and you will never have a problem with sticky valves or slides. Keeping it clean inside also removes bacteria that can build up in the tubing.
Claude Gordon Practice Routines
This article was originally written by Jeff Purtle and published in The Brass herald in 2009. Jeff Purtle is a private teacher, clinician, and trumpet player with international clientele. As a protégé of Claude Gordon he continues the traditions of Claude Gordon and Herbert L. Clarke with effortless playing and productive practice. Please visit purtle.com for a fabulous range of educational content.
Trumpet Artist Profile : Anthony Prisk
Anthony Prisk has been the 2nd trumpet in the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2013, after previously spending eleven seasons with the Houston Symphony. Tony is an Ultimate Brass and Yamaha artist, and kindly shares his thoughts with us here.
Music Stand Lighting and Your Eyes
Headaches, eye fatigue, or stiff neck or shoulder? It might be your music stand lighting.
Trumpet Artist Profile : Alessandro Silvestro
First trumpet with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Calabria (Italy) and Frate Precision artist Alessandro Silvestro kindly shares some thoughts and experiences with us!
Trumpet Artist Profile : John Foster
John Foster is a leading exponent of performance on historical trumpets and cornetto as well as being a former member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. John is a former classmate of mine from the Royal College of Music, and talks to me here about trumpets, trumpeting and his recent collaborations with Pickett Brass. What first… Continue reading Trumpet Artist Profile : John Foster
Bagpipe (or trumpet!) Lung
A school year looming brings with it a fresh start, and a resolution to keep instruments clean and hygienic. If you need any further confirmation of the importance of keeping your instrument clean, please read on!… Back in August 2016, the BBC and numerous other news agencies were reporting on a journal article written by… Continue reading Bagpipe (or trumpet!) Lung