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.
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. …
Rehabilitating A Severely Overused Brass EmbouchureRead More »
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.
…
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 …
Feelin’ The Burn This Winter (RoutineTracker: Winter 2020)Read More »
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!
…
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:
Enjoy! …
Hey everybody,
Here’s what’s inside BTB’s ‘RoutineTracker’ for the summer of 2019:
Plus!
You don’t want to miss this one. …
(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. …
The Embouchure Change Chronicles: Part 1 (Days 1 – 52)Read More »
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.
…
New FreeTB E-Mail Series: The Annals of BTB! (Wait, What?)Read More »
(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.” …
I will open BTB’s annual Year-In-Review by mentioning that I have done so much stupid *beep* in this lifetime, it’s mind-boggling.
2018 was no exception.
…
Trumpet Year-In-Review: What Worked (And What Didn’t) In 2018Read More »