Trumpet Thoughts

In this Trumpet Thoughts video, I dive into a connection I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone make before—the similarities between Bobby Shew’s Wedge Breath and Donald Reinhardt’s Shortened Air Column concept.Both approaches focus on using a more compact, efficient air column rather than the big, deep, diaphragmatic breaths that many players are taught. With the Wedge Breath, you start by relaxing the abdominal muscles, allowing fo...

In this Trumpet Thoughts video, I dive into the topic of aperture shape and position—a crucial element for a full, effortless trumpet sound. I start by appreciating a snowy Missouri day, a perfect backdrop for practicing and reflecting on playing mechanics.I break down the common misconception that playing higher means clamping down harder. Instead, I explain that a steady, well-formed aperture should remain consistent across regis...

Hey friends, in this episode of Trumpet Thoughts, I share some insights I've been working on about embouchure and lip placement. While air support is crucial, I’ve been discovering just how equally important lip positioning is when it comes to sound quality and control.

I break down the concept using a balloon analogy to illustrate how the lips should function more like the vibrating edge of a stretched balloon rather than bein...

In this episode of Trumpet Thoughts, I dive into my discovery about tongue positioning and how it affects trumpet playing. I've always understood that the tongue plays a role, but I never gave much thought to how its placement could impact pitch, endurance, and accuracy—until now. Through some recent experimentation, I’ve found that anchoring the tip of my tongue behind my bottom teeth while adjusting its level can make a huge ...