So what does 'Articulated Air' mean. Some teachers may refer to 'articulation' or 'tonguing' as an isolated discipline in trumpet playing. The reality is that everything comes back to the way that we control our flow of air through the trumpet.
Category: Education
Buzz Buddy : Review
After interviewing Lisa Holownia a few months ago about her new product Buzz Buddy, I was really excited to receive some through the post to try out.
Design Innovations : BuzzBuddy
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.
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
What’s the story behind Trump Street?
Visitors to the City of London (London's main financial district) will be accustomed to the glass-fronted homes of high finance and over-priced coffee. They may well have also come across the interestingly named 'Trump Street' and thought it to be a nod to our friends over the pond. They would however be wrong! I recently… Continue reading What’s the story behind Trump Street?
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
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.
Music Stand Lighting and Your Eyes
Headaches, eye fatigue, or stiff neck or shoulder? It might be your music stand lighting.
Faxx : Mute Review
The Faxx brand may already be known to many of you. It has a reputation for reliable accessories at a reasonable price. I have recommended the Faxx mouthpieces to young students for many years as they offer comfort and quality at a price point that is appealing to parents! However I was yet to try… Continue reading Faxx : Mute Review
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!
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
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.
Power over Pressure
Marcus Reynolds is an embouchure specialist and founder of the Stratos Embouchure System. I tells us here about his philosophy of 'Power over Pressure'.