Music is an Onion
This analogy is an old one, and I don’t like it very much. Onions are used for a bunch of different scenarios, but when I said this to a student the other day I decided I had to sit down and try to better figure out what this means to me. Layers, I guess, and how to deal with them. Let’s get in to this.
Prioritize (Onionize) your Sight Reading
It is a very important concept to prioritize…
Bozza – Rustiques
Title
Rustiques
for Cornet in Bb or Trumpet in C or Bb and Piano
by Eugène Bozza
Biographical Info
Eugène Bozza (1905-1991) has been for many decades not only one of France’s most prolific composers but, like Hindemith and Stevens, a great boon to woodwind and brass players. His hundreds of solo and recital works have involved virtually every known instrument and instrumental…
Recycling in Jazz Improvisation
The following is an exerpt from my book, "Recycling in Jazz Improvisation" which can be downloaded as a pdf iunder the "Shop" tab.
The core concept for this book started a while ago when I began teaching my younger trumpet students to practice major scales in what I call "scale fragments". I have found that this can be a more efficient means to work on major, diminished, whole-tone, and…
Trumpet Mouthpiece thoughts; the Van Cleave way
I found this article on Phil Rinaldi's site and he has graciously allowed me to duplicate it here for you. It was written by the great trumpet player/designer Mark Van Cleave. Interestingly, I have never met Mark or know his teaching but I COMPLETELY agree with what he has to say in his article. In fact, if you take the time to read both of our articles, you will find a lot of similarities!…
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 and C trumpet in gold plate, a Red Brass Flugel in raw, and the most recent addition to the family is an Eclipse piccolo in polished gold plate. The…
Contact
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.
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 is due in part to the fact that the freelancing musical climate has changed from one where a player could more easily make a living doing just…
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 had a musical experience that got me thinking about these spheres not in a physical context but from a musical performance perspective. As a…
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 many International Trumpet Guild (ITG) conferences and this was my first Tuba Conference.
There were of course many similarities; recitals,…
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 area. I can’t think of anyone that I would rather talk with about buying a trumpet. Trent has either played or owned every trumpet ever made! Check…