“A great resource for a common sense approach.”
“Your book has more good advice in it than any I have, and I’ve read dozens and dozens. Anyone should benefit from it. Great job.”
“…man I love your book and am going to start suggesting to my college kids especially that they buy it. Really great information and explained so well…well done, my man!”
“I am so glad I purchased your book. I believe the concepts are great and attainable in the long haul. I especially like chapters 2 and 3 and would like to become an efficient player. I know it’s going to take time. My mind is set and I am going for it with patience.”
“It’s exciting to learn that stretching your potential takes little more than common-sense effort once you understand the playing mechanism.”
“So much good stuff to ponder. Very clear, concise and, most importantly, logical and helpful. I’ll be trying many of your suggestions and, undoubtedly, re-reading the book again and again.”
“Finally, some sensibility for us all.” – Bobby Shew
Let’s face it, making progress as a trumpet player can be somewhat frustrating and confusing. And I don’t know about you, but I have personally wasted a quantifiable butt-load of time burning my chops out not knowing what and how to practice.
After nearly 20 years shrouded in confusion I figured it was finally time to get my act together. At that point I decided to change my embouchure and embarked on a new path of trumpet excellence! My sights were set on better technique, a stronger, more flexible embouchure, and total mastery of this beast we call the trumpet!
I was ready to get after it!
And the trumpet shot me down.
I mean it really just beat me to a pulp.
But after wading through the shame and misery of having to relearn how to play the trumpet again I was able to arrive at a simple, clear understanding of what it takes to improve as a player and how we can apply easy, proven strategies for making continued progress as we age.
The mission of “Concepts for the Advancing Trumpeter” was to compile the core ideas that helped me most along the way and share those insights with you, my fellow trumpeter (who may or may not be facing your own evil, sadistic trumpet-demons).
I believe all trumpet players – regardless of playing level – will find “Concepts for the Advancing Trumpeter” approachable and motivating. The novice will find the ideas encouraging and easy to understand, and the working pro will find solid, no BS advice for continuing to make progress in the years to come.
That means you too!
Check out Concepts for the Advancing Trumpeter at BTB’s book store and be sure to check out the reviews. And remember, if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase, just reach out using the form at the bottom of the website (return policy) within 30 days and you’ll receive a full refund, no questions asked.
(Once your payment information is submitted you will receive an e-mail with the eBook file download. If you would also like a Kindle formatted version please include a note to seller.)
Still not sure these concepts are for you? That’s cool! You can always check out BTB’s free, five-day e-mail series, Making Progress the Easy Way for some easy, proven practice strategies you’re bound to love.
Here’s What Some Trumpet Players Are Saying
“ It’s not very often that I am willing to recommend a trumpet method book because so many of them that I have perused over the decades are either bordering on confusing, or are somewhat arrogant, and are almost always just a re-hash of the old warhorse texts from Arban, Clarke, Irons, Maggio, etc. In addition, I have always felt that there needs to be more encouragement for each and every player to “find himself” through the learning process.
James Blackwell’s book impressed me because of his way of explaining the mechanics of playing in a way that can be easily grasped by ANY age group. And his approach to how to practice is full of excellent suggestions to avoid wasting valuable time in growth as a player. BUT, I really loved that he concentrated so prominently on ear training. I have observed a long time ago that THIS is the weakest aspect of musical education and is the dominant culprit in causing such a high degree of failures and dropouts. I have a lot of faith in the potential effectiveness of this new book. Finally, some sensibility for us all. “
– Bobby Shew
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James Blackwell helped me finally understand the oft-repeated phrase ‘Trumpet is 90% mental’. His insightful eBook is full of invaluable perspective from a successful working pro. In it, he shares how a player’s psychological approach not only to the horn, but music in general dictates end results. The ‘big picture’ he preaches focuses on developing a sensible approach that works well for you while practicing whatever you want to play in a focused, disciplined manner. This can only happen by paying careful attention to what your body and results on the horn communicate, then thoughtfully adjusting course for even better results.
In a world full of self-appointed ‘my way or the highway’ experts, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a true insider’s view of what it takes to develop into an advancing player – complete with candid discussion of the occasional setbacks we all experience. It’s even more exciting to learn that stretching your potential takes little more than common-sense effort once you understand the playing mechanism takes all instruction from the mind.
– JOHN W.
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“…man I love your book and am going to start suggesting to my college kids especially that they buy it. Really great information and explained so well…well done, my man!”
– Micah B.
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“… there are a lot of gems in this book. I have some education about education and how the mind actually learns, and your book and blog seem to hit on a lot of these premises (learning is automatic and unconscious, approach from different angles, don’t work past fatigue, forgive past mistakes, etc..), so I thought I could get some good out of it. And it seems to have helped my mental approach to playing.”
– JAMES W.
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I am so glad I purchased your book. I believe the concepts are great and attainable in the long haul. I want to try to incorporate them into my playing and so I refer to it often.
… plays in one of the bands I play in and he told me about your book. I especially like chapters 2 and 3 and would like to become an efficient player. I know it’s going to take time. My mind is set and I am going for it with patience. Thanks James and I wish you the best on any revisions and do look forward to them.
-Anthony M.
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“A great job!
So much good stuff to ponder
Very clear, concise and, most importantly, logical and helpful.
I’ll be trying many of your suggestions and, undoubtedly, re-reading the book again and again
In any event, a wonderful job
Thanks so much”
– JOHN F.
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