If you're the principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, you play trumpet like a boss. But who is Tom's biggest musical influence? This answer and more below.

Brass Chats Episode 2: Tom Rolfs

Brass Chats are interviews with the best brass players in the industry hosted by Tom, Joel and Chris - trumpet players with the United Stated Coast Guard Band and makers of the wildly popular valve oil - Monster Oil. In each episode we ask successful brass players about their &quot;tips and tricks&quot; for mastering their instrument and we learn stories about their life as a professional brass player.

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Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? Rub your belly whilst patting your head? Triple-tongue three-octave arpeggios while sitting on the shoulders of a unicycle-riding bear in a party hat? Hmm...you're tough......how about: can you be principal trumpet of both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic at the same time? HA! ...then you're not Chris Martin, our 30th guest on Brass Chats. 

Lots of trumpet (slash brass) nuts and bolts in this one. Watch and learn all about how he warms up, what he works on every day, how he develops his sound, and of course---how he navigates the looming minefield of the Monster Round. This one easily gave us about 6 months of stuff to work on in the woodshed. Enjoy! ...and then go practice.

Brass Chats Episode 31: Chris Martin

In our interview, Jim Pandolfi offered us the 'Red Pill' of trumpet pedagogy.  You might *think* that you know correct trumpet playing technique... but after you hear what Mr. Pandolfi has to say, you might start to question EVERYTHING you've been taught before.    Watch the interview and see how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Brass Chats Episode 29: Jim Pandolfi

The master of trombone talks about his life growing up in a household of musical influences, his challenges and breakthroughs in regards to playing trombone, and...his dream car.

Brass Chats Episode 28:  Joe Alessi

Today we're sitting down with Phil Snedecor who teaches at the Hart School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut and he has played with pretty much every kind of ensemble you can think of including the Baltimore Symphony, the National Symphony and the Washington Symphonic Brass.

Brass Chats Episode 27:  Phil Snedecor

We bet lubes to doughnuts that you've never seen Chameleon played on a cornetto before  this. We'll even give you 12 to 1 odds. So...you know...if we win, you have to buy 1 bottle of valve oil from us, and if you win, we have to buy you a dozen doughnuts. In fact, you'd probably buy yourself the dozen doughnuts anyway because you can't be trusted around doughnuts. We understand. Once you go get your doughnuts, return right here and eat them in front of this month's Brass Chat, which (if you couldn't tell from the above link) was clearly one of the coolest subjects we have ever had. The guy is a genius and it was immensely enjoyable hearing his perspectives on life, music, trumpet, and tennis. Here ya go.

Brass Chats Episode 2: Tom Rolfs

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