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This post can now be found HERE: http://trumpetchrisblog.com/apps-for-musicians/   1. forScore (paid app) More and more musicians are using their computers and iPads to read sheet music.   Sure, nothing beats the real thing, but nothing beats ForScore for organizing your performances and practice sessions.  This app allows you to organize pages from multiple files…

This post can now be found HERE: http://trumpetchris.com/blog/?p=491

New Brass Quintet Arrangement: Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” (Digital Sheet Music Download) I’m excited to share my newest brass quintet arrangement — Imogen Heap’s hauntingly beautiful hit “Hide and Seek.” This contemporary brass arrangement reimagines the lush harmonies and ethereal textures of the original song for trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba. It’s an expressive,…

Soon, the International Trumpet Guild will be publishing an article of mine that I hope you find inspiring and helpful!  Perhaps you remember–last year I wrote an article for ITG Youth that many people have found very useful–it’s called Dream Career – Principles and Tactics that Lead to Success in Music–and Everything Else.  If you haven’t already, read…

Happy Father’s Day! Back around Father’s Day, 2005 (during my undergrad at Manhattan School of Music), I was MORE than thrilled to learn that for the first concert of the next semester I would be playing principal trumpet on Bruckner’s 4th Symphony with Kurt Masur conducting!  UNFORTUNATELY, I had recently started having jaw pain and it was quickly starting to affect…

One of the quickest ways to get better at the trumpet is also one of the most fun: playing duets with your friends! When I was a student at Juilliard, this was one of the most valuable ways I spent my time.I JUST finished arranging a trumpet duet version of JS Bach’s beautiful Air movement…

I love how Duke Ellington responded with when asked how he was able to accomplished so much:”I don’t need time, I need a deadline.“You can guarantee efficiency by using time limits in your practice sessions and in your life.Ex:I need to practice at least an hourvs.I only have an hour to improve XYZThe latter encourages superior…

Practicing vs. Over practicing                  “It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.” -William of Occam My teaching style is based on Pareto’s Principal (also called the 80/20 principal), which , if you know me, you’ve heard me reference a lot. Having a refined, organized routine,…

Practicing vs. Over practicing                    “It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.” -William of Occam   My teaching style is based on Pareto’s Principal (also called the 80/20 principal), which , if you know me, you’ve heard me reference a lot.…

A young young trumpeter recently emailed me asking for advice in advance of some upcoming auditions.  He wanted to know how he should prepare and, more generally, how to play with a great sound.  His questions were great so I decided to post my response below: Hi Jarod, I commend you for your enthusiasm about…

Have you ever felt like you had TOO MUCH TIME? Probably not recently, so here’s my spiel:   Don’t let yourself fall in the ‘not-enough-time’ trap!     In business, the saying goes, “most people are too busy making a living to make any real money.“   Often the solution is inspiration.  Having the right role models…

The CANADIAN BRASS CHRISTMAS tradition lives on. Pleas enjoy this sneak preview from our upcoming Christmas album “Christmas time is here: You can download the album here, the physical CD becomes available on October 29th!  

This is the short version of the routine I go through every day. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think.  I have yet to meet someone who did this simple routine and didn’t experience noticeable improvement within a week. Sheet music to accompany the timer is here! Sign up below I will…

We (Canadian Brass) had a great time coaching and playing for students of Greenville, Michigan’s high school and middle school music programs.   Many thanks to Greenville Area Community Foundation and Ash Community Improvement Fund for helping it happen! Read the full article below: “Greenville students inspired, motivated after Canadian Brass musical clinic“

You may have heard, New York City Opera needs YOUR help NOW; $1 million needs to be raised to avoid a shut down. If you love NYC Opera’s unique contribution to NYC’s art scene, click here to be taken to the campaign page. Also, watch this video: Help NYC Opera continue producing the world’s most daring…

Recently a young trumpeter asked a great question–he wanted to know if he should buy a C trumpet to improve his playing.  This is not the first time I have been asked this, and I, too, wondered this as a teenager. I thought I would share the question along with my response. Let me know…

This article has moved!  READ IT HERE When I was at Juilliard, my trumpet teacher, Mark Gould, would always inspire me with stories, often describing a mythical sounding hero–a fearless, dedicated leader and trumpeter extraordinaire named Mel Broiles.  At last, Mr. Gould has put of these stories in writing! They were originally featured in the…

Who Are You Angry At? from OPP on Vimeo.

We shot this video during the recording session of our newest CD, Echo – The Glory of Gabrieli, before I was a member of the Canadian Brass.  I was psyched to be working with the group as one would imagine–from waking up early and recording, to getting all-you-can-eat Indian food during our short lunch break–it…