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.
Category: Advice
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
So You or Your Kid Wants to Play the Trumpet
An article by Estela Aragon, CEO/Founder at TrumpetHeadquarters.com Ahhhh the trumpet. So many of all ages fall in love with the instrument due to its age- less sound and versatility. The trumpet plays nice with classical, jazz, pop, mariachi, latin jazz, bluegrass, dixieland and many eastern music forms. It’s no wonder that the world is … Continue reading So You or Your Kid Wants to Play the Trumpet
Do Bell Covers help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
OK, so I need to say right off the bat that I have no intention of actually answering this question! I am certainly not qualified. This past year (plus change) has seen it become ok for us all to express ‘opinions’ on science, and for us to have the choice to either agree or disagree, sometimes depending on our political leanings. This confusion has been confusing!
Alliance Brass : Mouthpiece Review
Alliance Brass mouthpieces were launched in 2006 by Roger Webster, former principal cornet with Black Dyke and Grimethorpe. Initially these were for the brass band world to accompany Besson instruments but in more recent times, there have been some significant developments with their trumpet range. Stephen Wick from Alliance Brass and Denis Wick Products was … Continue reading Alliance Brass : Mouthpiece Review
ITG 45
The 45th Annual International Trumpet Guild Conference begins now! Trumpeters of all ages will find this virtual workshop an opportunity to improve their playing by accessing the Conference content for an entire 60 days! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from over 200 of the finest players and teachers in our profession. For those students who … Continue reading ITG 45
Tone Without Tension
Marcus Reynolds is a clinician and lecturer for the British Association of Performing Arts, and the British Trombone Society. Also the creator of Stratos embouchure system, in this feature article (originally published in 'Brass Band World') he unravels more mysteries of the embouchure. "In my last article [click here to read 'Power over Pressure'], I explained … Continue reading Tone Without Tension
Trumpet Artist Profile : Lasse Lindgren
Lasse Lindgren is a multi-faceted musician, with a reputation as a great 'lead' trumpet player as well as a great 'jazz' player. In recent times, he is also responsible for the resurrection of the great Ullvén Mute brand, made famous by players such as Dizzy Gillespie and Maynard Ferguson. Lasse kindly talks to me here … Continue reading Trumpet Artist Profile : Lasse Lindgren
Playing Two Trumpets with One Mouthpiece?
Wow, this blew my mind! This "No-Airflow Mouthpiece" demonstration from John Snell and Brett Kendall at Bob Reeves Brass really does make you think about efficiency and what is actually required to make a trumpet work. Enjoy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YIVc9wv6RI SIGN UP HERE FOR NEW BLOG ARTICLES EMAILED DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX:
Trumpet Artist Profile : Immanuel Richter
Principal Trumpet with Sinfonieorchester Basel since 2009 having previously held the same post at La Scala, Immanuel Richter has built a reputation for both versatility and virtuosity. He talks to me here about all things trumpet!... What got you started playing the trumpet? In my little village in the east of Switzerland, there was a … Continue reading Trumpet Artist Profile : Immanuel Richter
Design Innovations : Ultra Pure Oils
Ken Saul is the founder of Ultra-Pure Oils LLC, and talks to us here about getting started with creating his first valve oil product and how that has developed in to the extensive range that we see today. Can you give a little of your background and your relationship with the trumpet. I started the … Continue reading Design Innovations : Ultra Pure Oils
Mind the Gap!
Bob Reeves Brass have been at the forefront of brass custom work for many years now. The 'gap' between mouthpiece and the start of the lead pipe has long been a mystery that is brilliantly explained in this video by Brett.