January is the perfect time to establish and reinforce some good habits, quit some old ones, reflect on all you've accomplished up to now, and examine what you would like to accomplish in the future. After all your reflections, what actions are you going to take?

It’s that time of year. The leaves are falling, pumpkin spice lattes are back by popular demand, and you’ve got a big audition coming up! Don’t worry, Denis Wick is here to help! Let’s get right into it…

Any type of lesson or audition prep takes some structure. Arbans Characteristic study #8 and phrasing study Beatrice are classic requests for auditions and placement tests. Denis Wick artist Chris O'Hara takes you through a step by step process to break these selections into smaller pieces, and prepare for success. 

Drum Corps is a very unique grouping of musicians that involves way more than just performing well on your instrument. Your audition packet will provide some insight into what your judges will be looking for, but what beyond the packet will you be tested on?

Audition season is upon us! Are you planning on auditioning for a performance degree? Preparation of mind and music is everything. Longtime trumpet teacher, performer, and Denis Wick artist Paul Archibald shares some advice for all brass students that is absolutely crucial to your audition preparation.

“I want to play higher."
“I want to play louder."
“My teacher told me to get a jazz mouthpiece. Can I try the Bobby Shew one?"
“I’m in high school now. I played the 3C in junior high, and now everyone in band plays the 1.5C."
“Can I get the one that Allen Vizzutti plays?"

Whether as an educator or a performer, the idea of brass players warming up properly is both extremely important and tied to the idea of a regular practice routine. Here are some of the most important ideas to consider when developing or examining your own routine.

Congratulations! You chose to play the trumpet and that is an amazing instrument to learn. Like a sport, trumpet playing uses a lot of muscle groups and coordination to play, and a great warmup at the start of your day will make everything better.

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.

Many talented brass players have problems in high note playing which seem inexplicable. Often there is no obvious reason. These days the general standard of teaching and playing sophistication at a professional level is at an all-time high, but there are, of course, many amateurs who have not had access to the best teaching.