Trumpet Matters

Professor: Come on in, you're next!   Student: Hi, Professor Mahler. Professor: I hope you're warmed up, because I've go...

Rather than another long and familiar list of the usual must-haves for success, here are some obvious must-not-haves to consider. These ...

A great student is not necessarily the best player, the most talented, or the most intelligent.  Successful students at any level are able...

The road to the stage goes through the trenches.  Because the journey of grunt work never ends, we might as well learn to treasure the g...

With so much music to rehearse and so little time, how do you respond? Is it going to be another one of those frenzied, aimless practice s...

Picture two very different scenarios.  One is a boring cinder block practice cubicle, the other is a spectacular concert hall.  The next ...

Are you motivated after lessons, but don't know where to start? With so many assignments it is tough to get your mind around them all,...

Posted one-sentence lesson notes for us dummies: I refuse to stink! It's not how much you practice, but how.   Don't waste a...

Long teaching rants with too much information is not nearly as impressive as one powerful moment of inspiration. The teacher's mission...

What do music stands have to do with staying in shape?  Five stands in your studio will help bring some order to your practice sessions.  ...

Entrance Awareness Month If you haven't heard, this is Entrance Awareness Month ! There's nothing like impressing audiences, jur...

There they are, the three amigos of your right hand. Look at them! They are able to refine or hamstring your technique with just one strok...

Question:  When the late great Luciano Pavarotti sang, was he constantly listening to himself, evaluating, and making adjustments based on...

Singing is great preparation for playing!  For some reason creative instincts are much less hampered when the trumpet is nowhere in sight...

Go ahead. Turn the tone dial all the way up!  People want to hear you.  Give them precision, but also give them a 10 on the tone scale! ...

Confidence in pianissimo! That's a winning ticket, and a rare one indeed!  Mel Broiles as well as Roger Voisin, two players known for ...

Alright, alright! It is agreed that this brute must be conquered and well tempered.  However, in our quest to obtain elegant and refined p...

This post is for all of us simple trumpeters who might be in need of a facial adjustment or two. Silliness is sometimes the best way to ...

What does Grand Central Station have in common with your practice room?  Hopefully nothing.  Often however we experience the same stres...