In the last 10 years the quantity of mute options has exploded in a way few brass accessories have. This makes a simple Amazon or online search a little more interesting than it used to! Your next step might have been to read a couple product descriptions, but that is where it gets really strange! "Where did all these mutes come from, and what does it all mean?" We can help. Use these product description red flags to separate out the quality from the imposters.

You have your aluminum straight with 3 different bottom options (brass, copper, and aluminum), your synthetic mute... why do you need a wooden mute? Like a painter with a palette of glorious colors, as brass players we need an arsenal of options that bring us glorious sound in all different colors. Enter the wooden mute.

While every gig has its challenges, the Sunday morning church gig has some unique surprises that you won't find anywhere else. First, the sanctuary where you will be seated is a big echo chamber where the smallest sound carries forever. Sanctuaries can be drafty, be too hot, too cold, have horrible site lines, and a host of other surprises. Pack these supplies to keep you prepared for every scenario at your next church gig.

When preparing to perform a solo or a whole recital, there are a lot of factors that motivate our practice. To have a polished end product we meticulously learn notes, rhythms, and technique, with metronomes, recording devices, and more.  And, if you are like me, I practice getting through the complete solo or program to make sure I have enough endurance.

What happens when your endurance hits a wall?

What are the top reasons customers tell me they want a new mouthpiece?

“I want to play higher/lower."
“I want to play louder/softer."
"I want better endurance."
“I've improved, I want a bigger/smaller mouthpiece."
“Can I get the one that *famous artist* plays?"

Should these needs be the basis of our search, or are there better "morals" that should be practiced?

Getting back in shape to play your instrument is usually not realized in a relaxed context. It is usually realized with anxiety concerning a deadline that is approaching. Though muscle memory is quick, and getting back in shape will not take too long, it is very easy to injure yourself along the way and prolong the time it takes to get in shape, or in the worst scenario, be the beginning of some really bad habits that will take you down later on in the year.

What does a beginning student and an internationally renowned performing artist have in common? It is the desire to transform the music they can create into the music they want to create.

After the first two minutes of playing in your day, how many times have you smiled and said, “I feel great today” or slumped and said “I feel awful today.”?  “I Feel” is a very personal statement that carries a lot of emotion with it.

Mouthpiece trials can be a dangerous sport! While we don’t suggest wearing a helmet, there are some steps you can take that will protect the sensitive area of your lips and muscles from damage. Follow the steps below and you should be able to walk out of your trial session unscathed and hopefully with a new mouthpiece!

Are you a musician? Your New Year's resolution might include practice disciplines, range goals, technique goals, career goals, etc. Resolution planning can be tricky; too easy and you feel like you cheated, too lofty and half-way through the year you feel like a failure. If only there was one thing that you could resolve to do that would keep you busy the whole year while improving everything. And there is!