Trumpet Matters

What's the purpose of practicing?  Is the purpose of playing just to practice?  And should we continue plowing through that same check...

Remember King Midas? He was the king who got what he wished for, that everything he touched would instantly turn to solid gold. He quickly...

"During every practice I spend time imagining myself playing in the game so when the actual game comes it's no big deal because...

The CCM Philharmonia will perform Mahler 5 on Friday evening October 10.  Auditions for the trumpet section will be held next week. As w...

The second most obvious issue at the auditions:  There was some cause for pause this week in evaluating the CCM trumpet placement auditi...

A wonderful break through happened the other day during the lesson of a tenth grade trumpet student!  As a result of just one word, his so...

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...