Here’s where you’ll find general tips on trumpet playing along with random videos and VLOGS I’ve created over the years. You may also like to check out BTB’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BwellsTrumpetBasics/videos
Still waiting for that “light bulb” moment when it comes to understanding and incorporating the jazz language into your own playing? Here’s a super-easy, super-fun method for doing just that (straight from the teachings of one of the greatest improvisers ever). Enjoy!
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Understanding and Incorporating the Jazz Language (In VA) – BTBLOG Ep 7Read More »
Here’s a quick video (roughly 7 min) with a few thoughts on how we can alleviate excessive mouthpiece pressure while playing the trumpet. We all occasionally find ourselves using a detrimental (but at the time perhaps necessary) amount of mouthpiece pressure. This can be caused by improper development, habitual subconscious techniques, tired chops, or just playing too damn high and loud. This video is meant to help you alleviate some of that additional mouthpiece pressure by way of adjusting your practice habits so that you can learn to play in a more comfortable manner, more often. Dig it! …
Breathing for Trumpet Playing
Since the trumpet is a wind instrument, and controlled by the breath, learning to breathe more efficiently will make trumpet playing easier, and help you sound better.
Now while all you have to do is breath in, and then breathe out (through the horn) to produce a tone, the quality of the breath does have a direct effect on your results. …
The “Ins and Outs” of Breathing for Trumpet PlayingRead More »
What’s the Big Deal with Embouchure Endurance?
For trumpet players, embouchure endurance is of the utmost importance. Why? Because once the muscles of the embouchure are overly fatigued, you cannot play music any more. …
Build Embouchure Endurance and Play Trumpet LongerRead More »
Hello dearest readers and loyal fans,
It’s me, your fearless writer, James.
Let’s start by giving a shout-out to Jason Levi. Jason plays the trumpet (quite well I might add) and he left this comment in a recent post:
“I would like to know what you are doing to fill 4 HOURS of time. I feel mentally exhausted and have improved and spinning my wheels after one hour usually. Also, how much of that is rest? resting time= playing time?”
Here is a brief video answering those questions. …
March 2015 Practice Update: Bright Spots, Video and Full Free eBook Chapter!Read More »
Here’s a quick video discussing some helpful exercises for learning to play more confidently in the upper register. Lip trills are a great way to build embouchure stamina in the more taxing upper register.
Watch on YouTube: Blackwell’s Trumpet Basics #4: Learn to Play High as *&%$! – Part 2
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