Trumpet Stands

I currently own two different trumpet stands. One is the K&M folding stand and the other is the Hercules E/Z safe trumpet stand.

K&M Folding Trumpet/Cornet Stand

This is a great stand for travelling with. The stand itself is sturdy, with 5 legs for support. The only thing that I am worried about with this stand is that it could possibly cause dents to the bell. If changing between trumpets quickly in an orchestra, then maybe this stand isn't for you because although it has a rubber tip, it is possible that damage could still be caused. 

 

However, this stand is brilliant for a trumpeter travelling to and from gigs and rehearsals. It is very lightweight and the legs unscrew and store inside the top part, which can then be stored inside the bell of the trumpet.

Hercules E/Z Safe Trumpet/Cornet Stand

This is a very sturdy stand. It has 3 legs with rubber feet, meaning that the stand is very stable and keeps the trumpet safe, avoiding any falls. It has an adjustable 'peg' at the top, which can be adjusted to the right height for a trumpet or a cornet. The tip has a rubber ball, preventing any damage to the bell.

 However this stand is a lot less easier to transport as it is very heavy and doesn't really fold up - unscrews into two parts.

I feel that this stand is better suited to home use and I often use mine to store my trumpet in my room.

Transposing

The trumpet is a transposing instrument, in Bb. Quite often music is also written for trumpet in C, D, Eb and F. With practise it is possible to transpose into all of these keys.

C Transposition 
This is the most common transposition and probably the easiest.
Trumpet in C to Trumpet in Bb = up a tone.
Adding two sharps to the key signature will give you the new one. (for example C major will become D major, F major will become G major).

Trumpet in C

Trumpet in Bb

Eb Transposition
Trumpet in Eb to Trumpet in Bb = up a perfect 4th
To work out the key signature at one flat (G major-C major etc.)

Trumpet in Eb

Trumpet in  Bb

F Transposition
Trumpet in F to Trumpet in Bb = up a perfect 5th.
To get the key signature add one sharp.

Trumpet in F

Trumpet in Bb

D Transposition
Trumpet in D to Trumpet in Bb = up a major third
To get the key signature add four sharps.

Trumpet in D

Trumpet in Bb

I would recommend using a sight reading book to practise transposition to different keys. As you get better, move onto exercises that are the next level/grade up.

Using the Arban

The J.B Arban Cornet Method, is many trumpet players 'bible'. It really helps to improve tounging, tone, range, ornamentation and overall technique. Each section begins with very basic exercises and ends with much harder, more demanding exercises. This book is therefore perfect for a trumpeter at any stage.

The Arban is particullarily useful for developing double and tripple tounging. This is a very important technique for all trumpeters as sometimes passages are too fast to single tongue perfectly. The sections start off simply, with repeated notes and as the book progresses the exercises become much more difficult with more intervals and movement. Double and triple tounging is something that should be practised every day in order to be maintained and developed.

The exercises are useful for warming up as well as the slur exercises beginning on page 39. Slurring is an important exercise for brass players and although is not easy at first, gets much easier as time goes on (as long as you practise regularily!) and the muscles in your lips become stronger.

I also like the exercises in intervals (from page 125 onwards). These will help to improve your range and make high notes much easier to play from nothing. Exercise 38 on page 36 is also very useful for developing intervals.

Each section has a written introduction explaining how each technique should be acheived and faults that should be avoided.

Part 3 of the book (191 onwards) contains 18 technically demanding pieces and also 14 very demanding studies which make use of most of the techniques covered in the rest of the book.

This book is a must for all trumpet players and should be a feature of every practise session. It will really help to develop technique which can be applied to all types of music.

Music on your Ipad?

I recently discovered that the kindle store from amazon sells trumpet music. It costs a lot less than buying the paper version and is available for download immediately. So if you own a kindle or Ipad/Iphone with a kindle app (free from the app store), check it out!

Obviously this does make it slightly harder to read the music as it is smaller and you are unable to annotate, but I think it is perfect if you want to 'try before you buy'. You are also able to download a sample before buying which will give you the first page to look at, before you part with your cash.

Dealing With Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is something that all musicians suffer from, however some find it easier to deal with than others. It is very easy to let nerves affect your performance, but there are some ways to deal with them.

1. Perform as much as possible
If you suffer from performance anxiety it is very easy to let yourself avoid performing as much as possible, however if you never perform you will never truly learn how best to deal with your nerves. Take as many opportunities to perform as possible, it will get easier.

2. Breathe
Breathing is one of the most important things you can do to calm yourself. Before you go on take some deep breaths slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will truly help you to relax. Don't forget to breathe during the performance too. Breathing is one of the first things to go when we are nervous. Write "breathe" on your music, in important places and if you have a rest in the middle, take some more deep breaths (don't forget to count though!).

3. Believe in Yourself
Tell yourself "I can do this", reassurance is very important. Standing up in front of an audience is a very hard thing to do, be proud of yourself for having the courage to do it.

4. Rescue Remedy  

Bach's Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic medicine used for stress and anxiety. It contains natural ingredients and so can be taken by anyone (including children). I have read many mixed reviews from musicians about whether this truly helps with performance anxiety, but I believe it does. It is possible that it has the 'placebo' effect, so if you use it tell yourself that it will work! It comes in many different forms, but I personally use the spray. You spray it twice onto your tongue when you feel nervous and it is meant to relax you (however it doesn't taste particularly pleasant!). I really feel that it helped me and it is now an essential in my trumpet case.

 

5. Buzz Words  

Write encouraging and reassuring words at the top of your music. Things like "relax", "smile" and "calm" will help to reassure you when on stage.

6. Eat Bananas?!

I have no idea whether this actually works, but some people swear by it! It is apparently down to the potassium and vitamin B that the banana contains that reduce nerves and shaking. People suggest eating a banana half an hour before a performance. Anything’s worth trying!

7. Shaking? - Stand Straight

Shaking legs during a performance can be particularly annoying and can show your true nerves to the audience. If this is something you suffer with, keep your legs straight at all times. Never bend your knees as this seems to make it worse.

Product Review: Tom and Will Gig Bag

I've been using my Jack and Will trumpet gig bag for the last four weeks now, and I already can't live without it.

Firstly, it is very well padded and I feel that my trumpet is very safe in it. It has a large pocket for storing valve oil etc and also comes with a mouthpiece case. Personally as I don't own a vast collection of mouthpieces, I find the mouthpiece slightly too large.

On the back, the case has a detachable music case, which is attached by poppers. It is a very good size and comes in very useful, especially as so many cases lack music storage!

The backpack straps are adjustable and well padded, so it is very comfortable to wear. Overall I would 100% recommend this gig bag to any trumpet player. It is perfect for travelling or for school and keeps the trumpet very well protected. These cases come in a range of colours, the one I have here is 'three tone grey'.

It is currently priced at £41.03 on Amazon UK:

Trumpet gifts I received for Christmas

These are some of the trumpet related gifts that I received for Christmas with short reviews and links (both UK and USA if possible) to all.

1. Tom and Will Trumpet Gig Bag.

I really love this gig bag. It has a big pocket on the front, a detachable pocket on the back for music and is very well padded. I know that my trumpet will be well protected in this!

2. K&M Trumpet stand.

Legs fold up and store inside. The stand can then store in the trumpet bell.

3. Jupiter 7C cornet mouthpiece.
Basic affordable mouthpiece.

 
4. Hummel trumpet concerto.

A great trumpet concerto for advanced players.

5. The Trumpet Collection: Intermediate to Advanced Level (G.Schirmer Instrumental Library)

A Brilliant book and cd containing very well known trumpet pieces by composers such as Goedicke, Haydn, Hummel, Neruda and Clarke. The cd contains backing tracks as well as performances.

6. Alison Balsom: Sound the trumpet.

A brilliant album by World renowned trumpeter Alison Balsom. Throughout this album she plays a period, valveless trumpet.

7. Alison Balsom: Haydn and Hummel Trumpet Concertos

A lovely album by a inspirational and talented trumpet player.

8. Trumpet Ornament by Crystal Temptations

http://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Gold-Plated-Trumpet/2066969

9. ChopSaver
I love this lip balm and you can read a full review here