This article is about Anchor Tonguing (also known as K-Tongue Modified) for trumpet playing.
What Anchor Tonguing / KTM is, what it’s supposedly good for, and a few suggestions for incorporating Anchor Tonguing / K-Tongue Modified into your own playing.
The author Anchor-Tongues. …
Anchor Tonguing & K-Tongue Modified for Trumpet Playing: What It Is and How to Learn ItRead More »
Here we find ourselves again; another year down, one step closer to the grave.
Let’s put some pep in that step with the annual, “BTB Year in Review!”
Here’s what worked (and what didn’t) in 2017: …
Trumpet Year in Review: What Worked (And What Didn’t) in 2017Read More »
What you are about to feast your eyes on was originally the first lesson from BTB’s upcoming course for comeback trumpet players, The Ultimate Comeback Kit.
The idea was to organize practice notes, insights and questions in one location, as well as offer a place for the comeback player to journal about their journeys as they returned to trumpet greatness.
Despite the insanely practical and awesome benefits of staying organized in this way, the BETA testers for Comeback Kit had a surprising reaction.
They griped, moaned and groaned like a bunch of babies!
And so, the journal was cut from the Comeback Kit.
…babies…
But their loss is your gain! Take a peak and see if there’s something you’d like to add to your own practice system. If you decide you’d like to set up a practice journal like the one described, you’ll need a notebook.
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Setting up a Badass Practice Manual / Practice Log / JournalRead More »
I recently received an e-mail from a BTB subscriber named Scott. Scott said he liked reading about the “updates and adventures in learning.”
Well, Scott. Thanks for the title.
Here’s what’s up lately: …
November 2017 Updates and Adventures (Mouthpiece Safari)Read More »
Click Image to Download Full Transcription. It’s one heck of a solo!
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Hank Mobley’s “Crazeology” (Rhythm Changes) Solo TranscriptionRead More »
If you are interested in trying Pops’ pencil exercise program for yourself, be sure to read the full article. As I progressed, along with tracking the specifics of what and when I did each “workout,” I also logged and vented mainly the negative consequences of adding the exercise to my normal playing schedule. Skimming this article may give you the wrong idea.
What you spend your time on is up to you. When it comes to the pencil exercise; not all people need to do it, not all people want to do it, and some people think it’s complete and total bullshit. That’s fine. My experience with isometrics is that while there can be a definite, initial downside, in the long-term, supplemental isometrics continue to be have a positive effect on my embouchure and trumpet playing.
One more thing. This article is really long. Too long. Way too long. So If you’re not seriously curious about some dude’s rationale, training experience and the horrible, horrible mistakes he made working the muscles of his mouth with a pencil, just move along.
Along with the whys, whats and future plans, I’ve also included some suggestions at the end of the article for how you might work isometrics into your routine if you feel like.
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How to Improve Old Playing Habits
As some of you are probably aware, being a comeback trumpet player gives you the unique opportunity to learn from your previous mistakes, correct course and rewire your old playing habits.
You may have also noticed that even after 10, 20, or even 30 years off the horn those old playing habits, and your feel of playing the trumpet are still there. That’s because any mental wiring you learn throughout your life never really goes away. Sure, it gets rusty and covered up without use, but those old neurological pathways are still there lurking in the darkness, waiting to take you down.
Because of this …
Fix Old Playing Habits & Play Better than Ever Before (from the Ultimate Comeback Kit)Read More »
In 2016 I took some lessons, and did some other stuff too. This is the best shit. Seriously, the best shit. …
BTB YEAR IN REVIEW: 2016 (Lessons Learned and DAILY’s Did)Read More »
As some of you know, BTB ‘s humble beginnings were as a forum to get some ideas about playing out on paper, during, and after, a self-prescribed embouchure change.
I recently received questions about said embouchure change, and decided to write a deeply personal and moving account of the general process, why I chose specific directions in my playing, and what I currently commit to. …
Hey everybody – Just launched a new “FreeTB” course on learning to better control the aperture. This is a topic that’s gathered a lot of interest and has really helped to level-up my playing game. I think you’ll find a lot in the series if that’s what you’re into.
Here’s a screenshot of one of the videos.
The nine-part series dives head-first into the following aspects of aperture control: …
*NEW* “FreeTB” Aperture Control Course Available!Read More »