Trumpet Video Wednesdays! Rafael Mendez

This week's video is from an old broadcast of Rafael Mendez effortlessly playing Flight of the Bumblebee and Mexican Hat Dance.

Notice how relaxed he is. Mendez taught that the air use needed for trumpet playing should be no more than that used in normal conversation. Watching how long he goes between breathes and the size of his sound makes me believe that this is true for him, unless he has a spare lung hidden somewhere. Now only if the rest of us mere mortals can make trumpet playing this easy. Enjoy!

Hakan Hardenberger Trumpet Video

This is an excellent documentary of virtuoso trumpeter Hakan Hardenberger. His approach to playing is so logical and musical at the same time. Enjoy!

Top Orchestra Trumpet Excerpts

While this is not an exhaustive audition excerpt list by any means, it does provide trumpet players with a strong start down the orchestral audition path.

1. Stavinsky, Petroushka
2. Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exibition
3. Beethoven, Leonore 3
4. Strauss, Ein Heldenleben
5. Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
6. Beethoven, Leonore 2
7. Debussy, Fetes
8. Strauss, Don Juan
9. Mahler, Symphony no.5
10. Ravel, Piano Concerto
11. Bartok, Concerto for Orchestra
12. Stravinsky, Firebird
13. Tchaikovsky, Symphony no.4
14. Wagner, Parsifal
15. Mahler, Symphony no.3
16. Mahler, Symphony no.1
17. Brahms, Academic Festival Overture
18. Tchaikovsky, Capriccio Italian
19. Debussy, La Mer
20. Schumann, Symphony no.2

It is commonly suggested that the popular excerpts be memorized and the player be familiar with the work as a whole in order to place the excerpt into context.

A variety of recordings should be studied for each excerpt to hear differences in style, tempo and sound concept. Private lessons with an experienced orchestral player are a must for students serious about taking orchestral auditions.

Alan Vizzutti Plays Trumpet Classic "Carnival of Venice"

An amazing version of the trumpet classic The Carnival of Venice.

Trumpet and Creativity: A Dose of Reality

My first post will have less to do with actual trumpet playing, but more about playing the trumpet for a living. As someone who has been playing professionally for 15 years and who's father has been playing for 40 years, I give you this advice: practice, and have a backup plan.

As a trumpet teacher I am part trumpet pedagogue, part Tony Robbins. I have many students who want to make a career out of performance and it is always a dilemma what to tell them. Do I tell them to go for it knowing that even if they are talented and work hard, they have a better chance at being elected for a senate seat than making a decent, above poverty level living in performance?

The answer to my question became clearer when I read Hugh McLeod's manifesto - How To Be Creative.This is a must read for anyone thinking of a music career, or any creative minded person for that matter. Put down the trumpet, don't practice for the rest of the day and meditate on what he has to say....then write and thank me. :)