Excerpted from the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society monthly newsletter ( on line):

Half of us are going to come out of this quarantine as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.
I used to spin that toilet paper roll like I was on Wheel of Fortune. Now I turn it like I'm cracking a safe.
I don't think anyone expected that when we changed the clocks we'd go from Standard Time to the "Twilight Zone".
Home-schooling is going well. Two students suspended for fighting and one teacher fired for drinking on the job.
I'm SO excited--it's time to take out the trash. What should I wear?
Still haven't decided where to go for Easter--The Living Room, The Kitchen or The Bedroom...

Our Community Band is performing on Sunday - Professional venue - program is below. A bit of a chop buster.

Coronation March - Tchaikovsky
Mambo - L Bernstein
Gershwin Tribute to Love
Raiders March - Williams
An American Elegy - Tichelli
Suite Francaise - Milhaud
Liberty Bell March - Sousa
The Lord of the Dance

I agree with ROWUK. I started playing trumpet in third grade (no lessons) - gave it up but took up piano lessons -- resumed trumpet in 5th grade (no lessons) - continued both piano and trumpet --- between sixth grade and junior high school (6 grade to 7) i had my first lessons -- took lessons in both piano and trumpet throughout junior high and first two years of high school. Then moved to a nearby city - no lessons. Bought an illegal "fake book" and took a few lessons on piano from a teacher who for the first time in my "education" introduced me to the circle of fifths. No more trumpet lessons for twenty years. Then, perhaps one year of lessons from the local symphonic principal. He introduced me to long tones and breath attacks.

Otherwise - it is the love of music and the drive to get better at what you do.

depends on where i am going and what i am playing.
always in there:

lip balm
valve oil
water bottle
ear plugs ( in case i am in front of the drummer)
multi tool
cotton or micro fiber cloths
mutes for the gig
sandwich if i am driving through lunch or dinner

My first horn was a Conn -- don't remember the model -- I was in Fourth Grade.

I used it successfully into what is now called Middle School and we (my parents and I) looked for an upgrade. Olds Recording.
That was my horn through High School and then into College (although not as a music major).

I took the Recorder with me when I was in a Junior Year Abroad program in Regensburg. It was a new University and a new program. Did not get much play time excepting at a local Atilier bar where I played with local talent. During "Spring Break" my Olds was stolen from my Volkswagen in Spain.

I replaced it with a Selmer (modified) upon returning to the US. Decent horn.

When I intensified my playing, I bought the Bach 37.

As I continued to intensify my playing, I bought my Schilke X3.

Also picked up a used Courtois flugelhorn.

My point is that I was always interested in horns- but not actively looking. Circumstances dictated actions. The Selmer was available at a decent price at the time. The Schilke was available at a decent price at the time. The Courtois showed up on the internet. My advice -- sometimes your horns find you. And depending on the journey, the quality of the horn will suit you.

@trumpetsplus

I was asked to help out with a middle school recording session for their jazz band. The lead trumpet had just had braces and was uncomfortable; my job was to double the first part sans solos. He did very well and has a very nice tone even with braces. After the recording I told him that I thought his tone ( sound ) was great and to focus on maintaining his sound. Technique would come. Agreed with Ivan.

I have Ivan's book on trumpet pieces through history. I use it when I need a break of soft playing and as warm ups. Every week, our twin grandchildren (boy-girl 2 year olds) come over on Wednesdays and spend the day while Mommy works in my basement office. They love coming up to my music room, turn on the trumpet light and sit in their rocking chairs and wait for me to "perform." Typically they want "Row Row Row (your boat)". I play it by ear. Then they want another children's song. So I go through the litany: Wheels on the Bus, Old Grey Mare, Insy Weensy Spider Etc. All by ear, usually in B flat concert. It has occurred to me that my grandchildren have inspired a decent warm up routine -- and it involves scales! After going through the first iteration, I start repeating each around the circle of fifths. Great ear training, good middle to low range warm up, and it involves scales. I have made a note in my iPad Notes --- Papi Tom's Warm Ups.

Thanks for the note on the TH site -- glad to be here.

@fels

Second post - Living in Colorado Springs -- The City is building a center at the Summit of Pikes Peak. The attached video is from the Army trumpet ensemble -- (Fort Carson is nearby)
America the Beautiful

The New Horizons KICKS jazz band is presenting its Fall Concert November 4 in Colorado Springs. (Will post publicity brochure when reduce the file size). Program includes:

Orilla De Mar Jim Martin
Latin Snowfall Mancini/Fluck
Without a Song Kern/Stitzel
Watch What Happens Le Grand/Cervone
Stompin' at the Savoy Sampson/Holman
Livin' Larger than Life Baylock

Love To Barone
My Fonebone Mintzer
The Kicks Band Swings (the blues) Dean Mounts
Fly me to the Moon Howard/Nestico
Emancipation Blues Nelson
Muttnick Quincy Jones
Satin Doll Duke

Colorado Springs -- High Country Brass

We are performing Ewald Quintet 2 (only 1st movement because of time restrictions) - Do Nothing till You hear from Me (Elkjer arrangement) and an arrangement of Japanese Video Game Music "Storming the Castle." Fun program.

@fels
PS

I am teaching my 10 year old grandson who is now playing the Selmer Paris

@flugelgirl

I have opined before that you may or may not find your idea of the best horn -- you have to be patient and it will find you

Thirty or forty years ago I was playing a Selmer Paris and wanted something better....I went to our local music store and played several "pro' horns. I selected a Bach 37. Payed it for the next 20 to 25 years. A Schilke X3 was available at the store and that has been why horn since. I still play the Bach, but do not like its weight. I bought my Courois Flugelhorn unseen on Craigs List. There are better (cosmetically) flugels out there, but I can make the Courtois sound the way I like -- it found me.

I had pneumonia several years ago (before COVID), although not as severe as described here. Was diagnosed a few days after a quintet Christmas gig. I did not not play for a couple of weeks and was weak for longer. I used a "recovery routine" based on selected Schlossberg drills and that was very useful. I still use them now as part of my rotating warm-up routine. And yes, I now have had the pneumonia vaccine.

Slightly off topic -- I purchased a Wurlitzer Electric Piano in 1967. I was playing trumpet and piano in a group (not simultaneously). I hauled that piano around town in the back seat of my 1965 Karman Ghia (coup). Since I am 6 foot 4, there was not much room to maneuver.

I posted earlier (year or so ago) about the effects of Mohs (4 layers) surgery on the back of my neck that seemingly resulted in nerve related issues that impacted my left cheek and lower lip. Still seems to be a problem but may be
lymph related.. Relative to kidney stones, I had one some years ago but was related to hyperparathyroidism. Surgery removed one HP and PTH tests show normal -- not trumpet related seemingly. On the other hand (sic) I have a prolapsing hemorrhoid that responds directly to lead playing.

@stumac

Thanks --will look into it

My first exposure to trumpet playing was in Fifth Grade Elementary School (62 years ago).

I am trying to channel that experience now since my Fifth Grade grandson announced that he chose the Trumpet in his school music class. I have read a lot of posts here and have learned a lot from educators like Ivan etc.

I have some spare trumpets, and will be donating my older Selmer Paris for him to start. Choice of Bach 3C or 7C mouthpieces. Case need replacing but that is easy enough.

My initial thoughts on teaching a beginner (as a grandfather and current trumpet player) are below. My emphasis is that he chose the trumpet because he hears me play and perform. So this is initial exposure and instruction. If successful, he will obviously need a real instructor.

It should be fun.
It should be rewarding.
It is a path for growth, similar to sports.

Initial instruction :
Importance of breathing and breath
Lip Buzzing
Listening to music and finding a favorite music
Exploring the instrument
Creating beautiful tones

I deliberately do not include reading music notation at this point. Let the school teacher do that.

Since this is a Charter School, I also see this as an opportunity for volunteering.

I welcome all thoughts and suggestions for this journey.

@trumpetsplus

I was asked to help out with a middle school recording session for their jazz band. The lead trumpet had just had braces and was uncomfortable; my job was to double the first part sans solos. He did very well and has a very nice tone even with braces. After the recording I told him that I thought his tone ( sound ) was great and to focus on maintaining his sound. Technique would come. Agreed with Ivan.

I have Ivan's book on trumpet pieces through history. I use it when I need a break of soft playing and as warm ups. Every week, our twin grandchildren (boy-girl 2 year olds) come over on Wednesdays and spend the day while Mommy works in my basement office. They love coming up to my music room, turn on the trumpet light and sit in their rocking chairs and wait for me to "perform." Typically they want "Row Row Row (your boat)". I play it by ear. Then they want another children's song. So I go through the litany: Wheels on the Bus, Old Grey Mare, Insy Weensy Spider Etc. All by ear, usually in B flat concert. It has occurred to me that my grandchildren have inspired a decent warm up routine -- and it involves scales! After going through the first iteration, I start repeating each around the circle of fifths. Great ear training, good middle to low range warm up, and it involves scales. I have made a note in my iPad Notes --- Papi Tom's Warm Ups.

I agree with Rowuk's earlier comments as a fundamental basis for sight reading. I will add:

Like any other skill -- you have do do it a lot. Accept sub invitations, play pieces you have not seen before.

Take a few minutes to survey the piece and perhaps mark the score. OK, the purists a say that is no longer sight reading. But down beats are down beats and a little visual reminder helps.

Listen to those around you. Accepting the music will help in terms of understanding your part and being able to play on sight.

@dr-go said in Expressionism on trumpet:

You are welcome. Till Bronner is a hidden gem here in the USA. He is very well known in Germany and is the top rated jazz musician in Germany. He rarely comes to the USA, mostly to record, but I had the chance to hear him in concert when he was giving a clinic at the International Trumpet Guild in Columbus OH (down the road from me). I attended his clinic as well. Just amazing. He invited me on stage and I had the amazing honor of playing several tunes with him, and at one time, trading 8's!. He has just as warm of a personality as his trumpet sound.
Here is a pic from the clinic. Till is the one under the red arrow, I am under the blue:

And that is Alan Hood on the left side of the photo. DU professor of trumpet. Had a lesson from him several years ago will attending Mendez Institute. Great guy and instructor.