Blog Topic: Playing


Thomas Hooten plays Turrin’s Chronicles

Posted: May 8, 2011 by Eric Sperry

Here’s a fantastic clip of Thomas Hooten, principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony, performing with the U.S. Air Force Band at the 2011 National Trumpet Competition. The piece is the third movement of Chronicles by Joesph Turrin. Thomas displays a … Continue reading →

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Maria Schneider Orchestra

Posted: March 14, 2011 by Eric Sperry

One of my favorite performing ensembles is the Maria Schneider Orchestra. Maria assembles some of the world’s best talent (many, if not all from New York) to play her compositions. She writes lush, complex, lyrical, beautiful, and momentum-filled tunes that … Continue reading →

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Arutunian Concerto – Chris Martin, trumpet

Posted: February 17, 2011 by Eric Sperry

There are dozens of trumpeter playing at the highest level around the world. Chris Martin (principal trumpet, Chicago Symphony Orchestra) is very near the top of that heap, in my humble opinion. Enjoy this living legend doing a spectacular performance … Continue reading →

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Exercise the brain too!

Posted: February 4, 2011 by Eric Sperry

Sometimes as brass players we forget to involve the brain as much as we should. Obviously, the brain is always active coordinating our breathing, lips, and fingers so that we may make a good sound and play the right notes … Continue reading →

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Song and Wind – Charles Vernon style

Posted: January 26, 2011 by Eric Sperry

I stumbled across an excellent YouTube video of a masterclass given by Charles Vernon, bass trombonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He speaks on a variety of brass concepts in regards to Song and Wind, a methodology of the late … Continue reading →

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The studio!

Posted: January 20, 2011 by Eric Sperry

I’ve recently re-vamped my home studio. This is “the laboratory” for lessons, practicing, study, or anything else music. I’ve recently added a web cam (this is the view)-more pictures to come!

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Find time to play with great players

Posted: November 26, 2009 by Eric Sperry

Successful trumpet playing is easier if you have a great model to follow. Putting yourself in situations where you can play with high level musicians is one of the fastest ways to conceptualize and reinforce many aspects of making music. … Continue reading →

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The Sound of the Trumpet

Posted: May 23, 2009 by Eric Sperry

A trumpet is identified by the sound it produces. There’s nothing else in the world, natural or man-made, that sounds like a trumpet. It’s also one of the easiest instruments for the everyday public to identify. Due to this and … Continue reading →

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Balance

Posted: March 7, 2009 by Eric Sperry

I’ve come to realize over time that balance may be the most important concept in trumpet playing. Balance can make a player stronger, and more versatile; without it a player can be reduced to an elementary level of performance with … Continue reading →

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