Why warming up before you practice is so important.

By Jeff Beights

July 20, 2012

Over the years, in various playing situations, I have closely observed the playing habits of different players.  One common behavior, more so in younger players, seems to be the lack of pre-playing preparation, specifically the warm-up.  Now, some will argue that they don’t need a warm-up.  I have witnessed on many occasions players show up to morning rehearsal 5 minutes before the start, pull their horns out of the case and start playing.  Coincidently, is seems these are the same players that struggle with the fundamentals of playing in general.

Warm-up routines do vary quite a bit between players, some more some less, but the fact still remains that there is value in warming-up before you practice or perform. Continue Reading…

Suggestions for improving early morning chops

By Jeff Beights

July 20, 2012

Most musicians, beginner, amateur or professional, will, at some point in their career, have to play an early morning gig.  In my experience this is typically the morning church performance.  Back in high school and up until last year, this was one of my most challenging gigs.  I would struggle with endurance and technique.   I was most often frustrated because of the gap between how I actually performed and how I know I could perform. Continue Reading…

Purtle Brass Conference
at Anderson University

Inspiring Instruction In Practice, Playing and Business

Jeff Purtle – Host
Bob O’Donnell – Los Angeles Studio Trumpet Player
Harry Kim – Founder of the Vine Street Horns
Philippe Schartz – Principal Trumpet of BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Highlights:

• Recording Session with Harry Kim
• Ensembles directed by Peter Voisin (Roger Voisin’s son) and Gary Malvern
• Interview with Brad Kintscher, studio horn player
• Jam Session(s) and Excellent Food
• University Credit Available (Under Online MM Ed. Degree at Anderson University)
• A never before seen presentation from Philippe Schartz
• Pedagogy Forum of Experts in Stamp, Adam, Reinhardt, and Others
• More exciting details are soon to be announced.

Online Registration – click here

Event Details – click here

Online Registration – click here

Event Details – click here

“If there ever was a secret to brass playing, it is the tongue.”— Claude Gordon

Being a military spouse I am used to the regularity of the relocation process, and I am excited that my family will be moving to the MS Gulf Coast next month (this will be our third time to that area).  But, that means that I will no longer be able to record my videos on the stage in the Student Center at my church here in Springfield, VA.  Instead, I’ll be recording in the living room of our house in Ocean Springs, MS.  I’m sure that room will sound quite dead in comparison – I may have to step up my game!

Since the upcoming move will squeeze out even more of my time, I will not be able to record any more practice videos until we are settled, and I expect that to be in July (toward the middle or end of the month).

I have a new camera, lights and backdrops which I will be testing out between now and July.  I will also be doing some much needed maintenance to my site, namely updating my theme and improving the navigation tools.  For a while now I have wanted to include an index page with all of my lesson plans since the beginning of my study with Bruce.  I have also wanted to include an index page for all of my practice videos, categorized by book and exercise number.

If you have any suggestions or comments about this site, please post them below or contact me by email at [email protected].

“If there ever was a secret to brass playing, it is the tongue.”— Claude Gordon

Another comeback trumpet player using the systematic approach to practice taught by Claude Gordon and Herbert L. Clarke.

Jeff is a studying trumpet online with my teacher, Bruce Haag.  Bruce encouraged Jeff to tell the online community about his comeback experience with the Claude Gordon practice method, and I received his permission to repost his story here.  Jeff and I are traveling very similar paths with the same teacher, and I have asked him to post some more articles here in the future, so look for more from Jeff soon!

Jeff writes:

“I am a comeback player that started playing again in the fall of 2009.  It had been 25 years since I had played.  I found Bruce on the web and started my lessons with him on May 29, 2010.  From our initial discussions I discovered that the CG method was going to change everything I knew about playing the trumpet.  I played quite a bit in High school and accomplished much and had the desire to play like that again.  However, with a different lifestyle now – family, work, etc. – I did not have the luxury of 8 to 10 hours a day to devote to the horn.  So, I figured if I was going to make a change in the embouchure, this was the time to do it.  After almost two years I can honestly say I have never played better and have a bright future ahead of me. Continue Reading…