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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Trumpet: The Awful Truth

   From time to time I receive complaints concerning the "difficult" material I write.
   Context please.
   The material is "difficult" because the complainer has not acquired the skill to tackle it.  That I can do nothing about.  Only the individual can.  Only the individual can make their impossible possible.  Besides, what value is practice material to a trumpet player if the material offers no challenge to their current playing skill?
   None.  The embouchure remains static.
   Commercial playing skill is not acquired by players being content to allow their embouchure to remain static.
   Trumpet playing is presented in two parts.  First, the years it takes an individual to acquire playing skill.  Second, the remaining years of the individual's life that are spent on preserving skill.
   Sorry.  But it is the awful truth.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Trumpet: Triple High C (Study One)

   If you encounter difficulty playing all four quarter notes in the third measure, focus on developing one note at a time.  Dismiss the fact it is a quarter note by holding it as long as you can.  Take frequent breaks and do not over-practice.  Tomorrow is another day.