Gillingham – The Tempest

Title Sonata no.1 “The Tempest” For C trumpet and piano By David Gillingham Biographical Info The first sonata of David Gillingham bears the nickname, “The Tempest” because of the stormy and turbulent nature of the first movement, the somber aftermath of the second movement and the whirlwind drive of the third. Suggested Equipment C trumpet is preferred because of the extreme endurance…

Practice Routine Pie Chart

As we get older and (hopefully!) develop musically it seems that the demands on our time and playing increase exponentially.  There never seems to be enough time in the day for everything that I want/need to work on.  Coming up with a method of organizing my practice time has helped me tremendously.  When I observe this “pie chart” practice methodology I feel a sense of accomplishment at the end…

Warm-Up Routine Pt. 4

Part IV Musicality This subject is too often overlooked or brushed-over by students.  It seems that once a player learns all the right notes and rhythms the objective is complete.  In my opinion, this is now the beginning!  In our world of fast food and computers people expect results too quickly; at least I believe this to be true in the music world.  Turning a phrase in a natural,…

Warm-Up Routine Pt. 3

Part III Technique Part three of my routine comprises quite a large area of information but it is all related to developing right hand technique and coordinating the right hand with articulation.  In keeping with the idea of focusing on a minimum number of variables, limit the range of these exercises at first.  Play scales from root to fifth, slurred, as quickly as possible, while maintaining…

Shell Lake pt.2

Things are wrapping up here at the Shell Lake Jazz Combo Camp.  It's been a fantastic week.  The faculty were all top notch players from Minneapolis, Chicago, Indiana and Madison.  There was one faculty per instrument and we gave three concerts as a group throughout the week.  (The piano faculty was Luke Gillespie from Indiana U and is absolutely brilliant!)  The faculty combo was joined by jazz…

Warm-Up Routine Part 2

The article that follows was something that was published in an International Trumpet Guild Journal a number of years ago. Part II Strength-Flexibility The body consists of muscles that work in primarily two contexts.  Slow-twitch muscles are used for activities that require a great deal of strength, and the Fast-twitch muscles are used for quick, repetitive or graceful maneuvers.  Two sets of…

Scale Study from an Educators Perspective

Why Do I Need to Practice Scales? The Value of Tonal Literacy This article was written from a music educators point of view.  It was written by Thomas West and appears on his website here.  He has graciously allowed me to reprint it here on AllThingsTrumpet.com for you.  Enjoy! Posted by Thomas J. West on March 14, 2010 at 9:18 PM Scale Study as a Technique Builder…

Warm-Up Routine Part 1

The article that follows was something that was published in an International Trumpet Guild Journal a number of years ago. Creating music on the trumpet can be a daunting proposition to the young and not-so-young student of music.  There are countless aspects to be considered and mastered when one thinks of the ‘simple’ act of turning a phrase.  To help us begin cutting through this fog, we…

Shell Lake pt. 1

I am leaving tomorrow morning to teach at the Shell Lake Jazz Camp.  I will be there from July 4-9 teaching brass master class, improvisation a combo and jazz arranging.  The faculty will also be performing evening concerts.  I'm looking forward to meeting and playing with the other faculty up there. I'm not sure what kind of internet connection I'll have but I hope to continue regular posting…

Bernofsky – Concerto for Trumpet

Title Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (1997)By Lauren BernofskyPiano reduction by the composer (2001) Biographical Info Although Lauren Bernofsky was trained as a violinist, she has contributed a substantial amount to the brass repertory.  Among these pieces is her Trumpet Concerto (1997), a full-length work cast in the traditional formal plan of the classical concerto, but in a more modern…