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Pietzsch 12
This Etude #12 exposes flaws in your fundamentals and intonation like very few etudes I've ever seen! And, if you can get to the last couple measures, they are super painful after everything you've been through throughout the etude. This is a great one to have your tuner on in such a way you can see it while playing. note: the last measure of the third line page 2 I think should be an A natural. That would follow the diatonic pattern. I marked it in my part attached to this post so you can…
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David Cooper is the host and author of All Things Trumpet; the blog for research, education and reviews of musical issues pertaining to the trumpet.
UW-Platteville Director of Jazz Studies – Trumpet
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Conn-Selmer Artist
What Trumpet Do You Play?
Over the years I have had a number of people ask me what horns I play. Instruments are a very personal decision and my thoughts are only my opinion, so here goes. I am very proud to own and play Eclipse trumpets and Flugel horn. I own a LHY Bb…
Juggling Versatility
A Trend In Trumpet Playing I have found that in recent years there seems to be a trend for music students, in particular, students of the trumpet, to strive for music careers that encompass and embrace a wider variety of musical styles. Perhaps this…
Know Your Sphere, And Play In It
Martial Arts study taught me to be aware of different spheres of influence that are always present; a safe or un-reachable distance from my opponent, the distance of my initial contact, the preferred distance of greatest control, and too close. I…
ITG – ITEK: Brass Conference Comparison
The last week of May, 2010, I played a recital with my tuba-playing friend and UWP colleague, Mike Forbes at ITEC. (International Tuba Euphonium Conference) It was held in Tucson at the University of Arizona, a truly beautiful campus. I’ve been to…
The Greatest Trumpet Cases in the World
Those of you that know me know that I am perhaps the biggest trumpet equipment geek out there. (With the possible exception of my dear friend, Trent Austin who is one of my favorite players and has recently opened his own music store in the Boston…
I Remember Freddie…
This article appeared in a 2009 ITG journal. (Unfortunately, the picture that accompanied the ITG article was of a young Terence Blanchard, not Freddie. My pic is the real deal.) I'd like to share a few of my thoughts about Freddie Hubbard, who…
Thoughts on Mouthpieces
I have been asked at clinics about mouthpieces and how many are the right amount to play or if you should play everything on one mouthpiece. I have read that Miles Davis played the same mouthpiece he got in junior high his entire career. I have…
Recycling the Major Pentatonic Scale
The following article is an excerpt from my book, "Recycling in Jazz Improvisation" which can be downloaded as a pdf in my Books section of www.DavidCooperMusic.com. There has been a lot of great information written about the use of the pentatonic…
So, you think you know your major scales?
The following article is an excerpt from my book, “Recycling in Jazz Improvisation” which can be downloaded as a PDF under my "Shop" tab above. Can you Play the Phone Book? Here is an exercise that should test that knowledge, expand your ear,…