BTB Practice Journals

Notes from my own practice journals. including things I’ve tried, what worked and what didn’t. Here’s where you’ll also find plenty of perspective on the struggles and frustrations we all face as trumpet players.

Seven Tips For A Kickass Trumpet Comeback (2025 Trumpet Year-in-Review)

January 28, 2026 / Leave a Comment / BTB Practice Journals, Uncategorized / By

(You can nail your comeback—-even with a baby)

It’s the time of year again folks—-time to dig back through last year’s practice journals and share the best of what I’ve learned playing this beast of an instrument.

This year, you’ll find something special: the simple concepts that have helped me get back on track after a few years’ hiatus—-while also rekindling my love for the horn and maintaining a daily practice.

Let’s go → …

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Rehabilitating A Severely Overused Brass Embouchure

April 7, 2021 / 6 Comments / BTB Practice Journals, Random Nonsense / By

2020: What a year.

Global pandemic.

Lock-down.

Masks.

And oh yeah, I completely trashed – and then rehabilitated – a severely overused playing embouchure. So, if you feel like things aren’t quite right – or are dealing with long-time damaged chops – this one’s for you. …

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Lead Trumpet Video Lesson, Chuck Findley Is Amazing & BTB’s Third Embouchure (RoutineTracker COVID-19)

April 7, 2021 / 3 Comments / BTB Practice Journals, Lead Trumpet, Playing Tips / Videos, Trumpet Tributes / By

Howdy trumpet-folks,

I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy and making the most of a world with no gigs. With summer starting…tomorrow, I figure it’s about time to release BTB’s RoutineTracker for the Spring of 2020. Inside you’ll find all the usual stuff along with a couple of fun videos.

…

Lead Trumpet Video Lesson, Chuck Findley Is Amazing & BTB’s Third Embouchure (RoutineTracker COVID-19)Read More »

Feelin’ The Burn This Winter (RoutineTracker: Winter 2020)

April 7, 2021 / 7 Comments / BTB Practice Journals, Lead Trumpet, Playing Tips / Videos, Trumpet Tributes / By

Winter 2020

Hey trumpet-lovers,

With Spring right around the corner, here’s BTB’s latest RoutineTracker. Inside you’ll find what’s been up, along with plenty of food-for-thought in the practice room. As with many of BTB’s articles, this one is choc-full of stupid mistakes by yours truly.

The Dumbest Shit I Keep Doing …

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2019 Trumpet Year-In-Review

November 7, 2021 / 2 Comments / BTB Practice Journals / By

It’s that time of year again, folks. Time to head back through the practice journals for BTB’s annual ‘Trumpet Year-In-Review’. Inside you’ll find what worked, what didn’t and some general tips for time in the shed.

But before we get into that, here’s a little poem about trumpet playing:

It ebbs and flows,

It goes and goes.

Why do we do it?

Nobody knows!

…

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RoutineTracker: Fall 2019

November 7, 2021 / 3 Comments / BTB Practice Journals, Improvisation / By

Hope everyone is doing well this fall. With the changing of the seasons comes, you guessed it, BTB’s latest RoutineTracker.

Here’s what’s inside:

  • The effects of my longest break from trumpet playing in the past 16 years
  • Why I added some mouthpiece buzzing and what I’m practicing
  • The fanciest fancy-graph BTB has ever fancied to create
  • That time I thought my tooth was falling out & the mouthpiece pressure blues
  • A killer jazz improvisation practice routine

Enjoy! …

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RountineTracker: Summer 2019

September 3, 2025 / 8 Comments / BTB Practice Journals / By

Hey everybody,

Here’s what’s inside BTB’s ‘RoutineTracker’ for the summer of 2019:

  • How to improve your upper register articulation (might not be what you think).
  • A new method for reducing mouthpiece pressure (never before revealed at BTB).
  • A new tweak that has improved flexibility between ranges – big time.
  • A sample two-part warm-up for you to try.
  • And an introduction to possibly the greatest book ever written on brass playing.

Plus!

  • A full-blown rant on how stupid trumpet players can be!

You don’t want to miss this one. …

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The Embouchure Change Chronicles: Part 1 (Days 1 – 52)

November 7, 2021 / 2 Comments / BTB Practice Journals / By

(Embouchure Change, Day 1)

Many BTB readers are trumpet players embarking on the path of finally getting their playing in order. Sometimes, this is after a long string of consistent practicing and performing, and other times it’s a comeback after many years of not playing at all.

Either way, most of us understand that after that initial burst of motivation there comes the realization of the sheer amount of work it takes to make seemingly small amounts of progress. That, coupled with fact that it can be difficult to know what we even need to practice in the first place, it’s easy to get bummed out and off track. …

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New FreeTB E-Mail Series: The Annals of BTB! (Wait, What?)

April 9, 2021 / Leave a Comment / BTB Practice Journals, Random Nonsense / By

Hello fellow trumpeter and BTB reader,

As you may be aware, BTB releases an annual “Year-In-Review” post to start each new year. The Year-In-Review is a big-picture account of what paid off in the practice room the previous year – as well as what didn’t.

Since these posts are basically an outline of the best things I’ve learned through trial-and-error, you may find some motivation in them for your own trumpet practice. And having the past five years worth of reviews sent directly to your inbox is a pretty convenient way to digest the info.

…

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RoutineTracker: Spring 2019

April 9, 2021 / 7 Comments / BTB Practice Journals / By

(Springtime at BTB)

Hello esteemed BTB reader,

From time to time I receive emails from trumpet players wanting to know what a typical practice day looks like. You know, what to work on, length of practice sessions, how many sessions…that kind of thing.

Since people seem interested, BTB’s “RoutineTracker” is where you’ll find what I’m working on and how I’m working on it. Of course, I’m just some guy, and what I practice is not particularly important. Still,  you may enjoy cross-referencing your own routine against another trumpet players.

Here’s “RoutineTracker: Spring 2019.” …

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