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.
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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! …
(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 »
(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.” …
Hey everyone,
Here’s a brief look at what’s been happening this month. It’s a quick one covering a recent playing trouble, a small and very powerful goal accomplished on the road this year and maybe some motivation for you to move forward with your playing. If you don’t care about that stuff, you still might want to scroll to the bottom of the article. There are some links to a couple fun and inspiring trumpet interviews I recently watched on YouTube…late at night in my hotel room.
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The Brian Setzer Orchestra is Back on the Road! (Plus, Some Killer Trumpet Interviews)Read 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 »
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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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. …
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 »