My guest for this episode is Rich Wetzel.

Rich is all about the work. Whether it’s in the practice room or in the gym, Rich understands the importance of having a strategic approach if you want to achieve dramatic improvements. Rich has proven himself as a powerful lead trumpet player, a successful salesman, and, most recently, as an award-winning bodybuilder. Rich is a living testament that you are never too old to recreate your mind, your body, and your life.

Check out what Rich has to say about practice room chops, having a consistent approach, the importance of recovery, mixing things up, the Frank Minear Method, getting gig ready, finding what works best for you, ah-ha moments, inspiring others to create change, keeping things simple, tips on how to improve your health and trumpet playing, combining music and business, building a career in music, and so much more!

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

-------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:34 Practice room chops

00:08:07 Having a consistent approach

00:11:35 The importance of recovery

00:16:08 Mixing things up

00:19:13 The Frank Minear Method

00:26:11 Getting gig ready

00:28:41 Finding what works best for you

00:31:24 Ah-ha moments

00:41:57 Inspiring others to create change

00:50:12 Keeping things simple

00:57:00 Tips on how to improve your health and trumpet playing

01:02:48 Combining music and business

01:11:08 Building a career in music

01:15:40 Sound Off

01:18:23 Geared Up

01:21:14 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Nathan Warner.

Nathan is an eclectic guy. His path has led him from attending the Interlochen Arts Camp to a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies at the Indiana School of Music, a master’s degree in classical trumpet from the Manhattan School of Music, and finally, a DMA from Stony Brook University. He’s a busy performer, passionate educator, and co-founder of the Apex Trumpet Symposium. And he manages to do everything with some serious swag and perfect hair.

Check out what Nathan has to say about How the Apex Trumpet Symposium was born, toxic environments, giving permission to be where you are, learning to live with uncertainty, the importance of the struggle, aligning with his motivations, dealing with the negative voices, spirituality and music, the sound of Gabriel's trumpet, the importance of having your own voice, being the best version of yourself, the roles of affirmation and confrontation, and so much more!

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Get the skinny on Nathan at: https://www.nathanplaystrumpet.com/

Interested in learning more about the Apex Trumpet Symposium? https://apextrumpet.com/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:56 How the Apex Trumpet Symposium was born

00:17:56 Toxic environments

00:23:41 Giving permission to be where you are

00:37:25 Learning to live with uncertainty

00:43:32 The importance of the struggle

00:48:26 Aligning with his motivations

00:50:29 Dealing with the negative voices

00:54:11 Spirituality and music

00:59:39 The sound of Gabriel's trumpet

01:07:42 The importance of having your own voice

01:16:12 Being the best version of yourself

01:23:01 The roles of affirmation and confrontation

01:28:01 Sound Off

01:31:53 Geared Up

01:39:06 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Vinnie Ciesielski.

Vinnie returns for a second round at The Hang to discuss his new project, Vinnie and the Hitmen, a 15-piece horn-driven band that features some of Nashville’s heaviest hitters. But Vinnie’s vision of The Hitmen is not just about knockout performances; it’s also about touching the lives of young musicians to show them that anything is possible when you have enough passion and are willing to put in the work that it takes to go be awesome.

Check out what Vinnie has to say about the birth of Vinnie And The Hitmen, deciding to record public domain Christmas music, creative arrangements, school concerts, speaking your vision into existence, why now is the perfect moment, why music is life-changing, being awesome, repetitive excellence, advice for building a career in music, the shifting landscape of the recording industry, joint ventures, being a better bandleader, becoming clear on your career objectives, his definition of success, why you need to support artists, inspiration and advise, and so much more!

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

To order your copy of “A Hitmen Christmas” head to: https://trumpetvinnie.com/shop/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

--------------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:49 The birth of Vinnie And The Hitmen

00:06:30 Deciding to record public domain Christmas music

00:09:18 Creative arrangements

00:14:00 School concerts

00:15:36 Speaking your vision into existence

00:23:53: Why now is the perfect moment

00:27:44 Why music is life-changing

00:35:49 Being awesome

00:38:18 Repetitive excellence

00:45:45 Advice for building a career in music

00:52:36 The shifting landscape of the recording industry

00:56:25 Joint ventures

01:00:41 A sneak preview

01:06:56 Being a better bandleader

01:13:18 Becoming clear on your career objectives

01:19:57 His definition of success

01:27:44 Another sneak peek

01:31:38 Why you need to support artists

01:36:42 Inspiration and advise

01:41:34 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Theresa May.  

Theresa is on a mission. From her early experiences in the Salvation Army Band to her current work with the group Mourning [A] BLKstar, Theresa has always understood the power of music. After earning her master’s degree in music performance from the Cincinnati University  Conservatory of Music, Theresa has made it her mission to spread the gospel of music’s ability to change the world and to be a bold voice for the underrepresented.   

Check out what Theresa has to say about the Cleveland music scene, her early musical influences, coming full circle, the biggest lessons she has learned from her classical training, the importance of the groove, making a statement with your music, stereotypes in the music industry, taking responsibility for change, lessons from her father, finding her direction, her musical heroes, the importance of having fun, creating a safe space for improvement, her decision to build a career in Cleveland, defining personal success, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

-------------------------------------------------------------- 

Find out more about Theresa and her projects at: https://www.theresamaytrumpet.com/ 

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/ 

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/ 

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

--------------------------------------------------------------------- 

0:00:00 Intro 

0:02:07 The Cleveland music scene

0:06:54 Her early musical influences 

0:08:10 Coming full circle 

0:12:20 The biggest lessons she has learned from her classical training 

0:14:04 The importance of the groove 

0:16:44 Making a statement with your music 

0:23:13 Stereotypes in the music industry 

0:30:48 Taking responsibility for change 

0:37:52 Lessons from her father 

0:44:54 Finding her direction 

0:48:33 Her musical heroes 

0:52:43 The importance of having fun 

0:57:39 Creating a safe space for improvement 

1:03:16 Her decision to build a career in Cleveland 

1:09:09 Defining personal success 

1:12:58 Sound Off 

1:15:07 Geared Up 

1:18:17 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Phil Snedecor.

Phil is all about the music. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Phil built a busy career performing and teaching in the Greater Washington DC area. He is also an accomplished composer and arranger whose etude books have become required material in many Trumpet studios and is currently Trumpet professor at the Hartt School. But whether it’s on the stage, in the classroom, or through his prolific writing, Phil always wants to keep the music at the forefront.

Check out what Phil has to say about the difference between adjunct and tenure track teaching positions, life outside of the Capital Beltway, mobile warm-ups, the role of a teacher, learning life skills in the practice room, finding balance, studying at Eastman, solving technical problems by playing music, the most common shortcoming of young players, instilling a passion for listening, new voices, why perfect playing isn't always enjoyable, Wynton Marsalis and the cultural impact of music, the inspiration for his etude books, the importance of imagination, writing books for the modern trumpet player, the need for versatility, why he enjoys playing in a variety of musical settings, and so much more.

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Learn more about Phil at: https://www.philsnedecor.com

Need etudes? Go to https://www.pasmusic.com

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

-------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:05:21 The difference between adjunct and tenure tracked teaching positions

00:07:03 Life outside of the Capital Beltway

00:08:50 Mobile warm-ups

00:10:56 The role of a teacher

00:13:23 Learning life skills in the practice room

00:15:52 Finding balance

00:19:09 Studying at Eastman

00:22:47 Solving technical problems by playing music

00:25:49 The most common shortcoming of young players

00:30:04 Instilling a passion for listening

00:33:06 New voices

00:35:23 Why perfect playing isn't always enjoyable

00:38:25 Wynton Marsalis and the cultural impact of music

00:43:14 The inspiration for his etude books

00:46:36 The importance of imagination

00:52:18 Writing books for the modern trumpet player

00:57:22 The need for versatility

01:00:47 Why he enjoys playing in a variety of musical settings

01:03:58 Sound Off

01:09:32 Geared Up

01:13:45 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Marcus Grant.

Marcus is a go-getter. In addition to his career as a player and composer, Marcus is also a professor of Music Theory and Aural Skills at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Co-Founder and Director of the Trumpeter’s Multitrack Competition and Seminar, Vice President of Diversify The Stand, and a member of the Executive Board of the National Trumpet Competition. Good thing he loves what he does.

Check out what Marcus has to say about the truth about his teachers, being bitten by the teaching bug, the impact of his teachers, the blessing and curse of social media, the birth of the Trumpet Multitrack Competition and Seminars, the importance of accessibility, what's in store for TMTCS, his role with the National Trumpet Competition, preparing for the future of trumpet playing, why you need to understand music theory, the process of improvement, his compositional projects, and so much more.

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Find out more about Marcus and his projects here: https://www.msgrantmusic.com/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:25 The truth about his teachers

00:04:43 Being bitten by the teaching bug

00:07:49 The impact of his teachers

00:10:54 The blessing and curse of social media

00:18:48 The birth of the Trumpet Multitrack Competition and Seminars

00:27:01 The importance of accessibility

00:29:33 What's in store for TMTCS

00:33:56 His role with the National Trumpet Competition

00:44:37 Preparing for the future of trumpet playing

00:55:16 Why you need to understand music theory

01:00:56 The process of improvement

01:06:59 His compositional projects

01:16:16 Sound Off

01:19:19 Geared Up

01:21:58 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Chris Smith.  

Chris is a man of action. After an eight-year tour of duty with the “President’s Own” United States Marine Corp band and an eleven-year run with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Chris is currently the Principle Trumpet for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. An avid athlete, Chris takes a sports-specific training approach to trumpet practice and a hall of fame coach's mentality to winning auditions.  

Check out what Chris has to say about shifting musical gears, the need to adjust his approach to practice, marathons or sprints, sport-specific practice, etudes, the requirements of a successful career, the disconnect between practice and performing, training for an audition, how schools can better prepare their students for the audition process, the truth about the audition process, the importance of good coaching, how he improved his audition chops, finding focus, finding what works best for you, longevity, and so much more!  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

-------------------------------------------------------------- 

Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trombachris

Find Chris On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.smith1911

Chris Smith's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristopherSmithTrumpet

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

---------------------------------------------------------------- 

00:00:00 Intro 

00:04:37 Shifting musical gears 

00:12:54 The need to adjust his approach to practice 

00:16:02 Marathons or sprints 

00:23:45 Sport specific practice 

00:32:37 Etudes 

00:38:17 The requirements of a successful career 

00:43:20 The disconnect between practice and performing 

00:47:25 Training for an audition 

00:54:44 How schools can better prepare their students for the audition process 

01:01:10 The truth about the audition process 

01:05:00 The importance of good coaching 

01:09:41 How he improved his audition chops 

01:21:00 Finding focus 

01:26:50 Finding what works best for you 

01:33:34 Longevity 

01:37:14 Sound Off 

01:45:20 The importance of recording yourself 

01:48:43 Geared Up 

01:59:57 Rapid Fire Round

On August 19, 2022, The trumpet world lost a shining star with the passing of Dan Miller.  

Everything about Dan was larger than life. He was a big guy with a big smile and a huge heart.  

Dan had an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz trumpet that he was always willing to share with anyone who asked.  

As a player, Dan had a massive sound that could fill up a room. Every note Dan played oozed with his passion for life and music.   

But perhaps one of his greatest attributes was his skill as a teacher and mentor to young players.  

And so I felt it was only fitting to do this tribute to a man who brightened the lives of so many trumpet players, both directly and indirectly.  

In this special episode, I talk with three Trumpet Gurus who came into Dan’s life during different chapters. We start with Brad Goode, who was an early teacher of Dan’s and who helped fan the flame of Dan’s passion for jazz history. Next, I talk with Kenny Rampton, who spent years playing with Dan in New York and who became like a second brother. Then I talk with Dan’s young protege, Nathaniel Wiliford, about Dan’s teaching and mentoring. And finally, I am joined by Dan’s brother Dave Miller who puts Dan’s entire life into perspective.  

So please join us in this celebration of the life and contributions of Dan Miller. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

To learn more about Dan and for updates on the Dan Miller Jazz Master Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit https://www.danmillerjazz.com/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

00:00:00 Intro 

00:01:28 Brad Goode on meeting Dan 

00:09:20 Honoring the lineage 

00:14:06 Dan as a player 

00:17:04 Dan's influence on him 

00:18:38 Dan's legacy 

00:21:24 Final thoughts 

00:23:20 Kenny Rampton 

00:23:50 Working with Dan 

00:25:45 Dan's encyclopedic knowledge 

00:28:14 Dan's heart 

00:34:22 Dan's impact on his life 

00:37:15 How Dan helped him find the perfect plunger 

00:39:31 Dan as a lead trumpet player 

00:40:53 Living life on his own terms 

00:42:14 Dan's legacy 

00:42:36 Dan and his family 

00:46:13 How we can honor Dan's legacy 

00:52:58 Dan and his cup mute 

00:57:22 Nathaniel Wiliford 

00:58:03 The start of their relationship 

01:04:33 Dan as a teacher 

01:07:25 What's been hardest for him 

01:10:35 The last time he spoke with Dan 

01:11:17 Dan's concern for others 

01:16:03 The best word to describe Dan 

01:21:54 Being grateful for their relationship 

01:26:39 Dan's legacy 

01:30:17 Passing on Dan's legacy 

01:38:20 Dave Miller 

01:39:12 Growing up in a musical household 

01:42:28 Dan's major inspirations 

01:43:57 Moving to New York 

01:45:57 Their relationship 01:49:09 Dan's impact on others 01:50:51 Their shared drive for deep knowledge 01:52:31 Their shared passion for education 01:56:07 The legacy of Dan Miller 01:58:47 How we can best honor Dan 02:00:23 How he wants others to remember Dan

My guest for this episode is Paul Merkelo.   

Paul is a multi-tasker. In addition to his duties as the Principal Trumpet of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Paul is also a highly sought-after soloist. He has traveled the world performing both old and new works and recently completed his fifth solo recording project. And in his spare time, Paul is on the faculty of two universities - McGill University in Montreal and The Music Academy of The West in Santa Barbara. All in a day's work.   

Check out what Paul has to say about the truth about Joey Tartell, Illinois vs Montreal, the viability of a career as an orchestral trumpet player, full-time gigs vs freelancing, balancing the demands as a principal player and a soloist, managing your practice, mixing things up, making a statement with your playing, transcending technique, honoring the work, keeping things fresh and challenging, the role of the ego, and so much more.  

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin! 

-------------------------------------------------------------- 

For all things Paul, including ordering his newest recording of trumpet concertos by Arutionian, Shostakovich, and Weinberg, go to: http://www.paulmerkelotrumpet.com/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove 

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets 

------------------------------------------------------------- 

00:00:00:00 Intro 

00:02:10:20 The truth about Joey Tartell 

00:04:13:02 Illinois vs Montreal 

00:07:17:20 The viability of a career as an orchestral trumpet player 

00:12:44:22 Full-time gigs vs freelancing 

00:16:08:03 Balancing the demands as a principal player and a soloist 

00:22:11:13 Managing your practice 

00:29:30:16 Mixing things up 

00:35:36:07 Making a statement with your playing 

00:47:20:21 Transcending technique 

00:57:51:20 Honoring the work 

01:06:29:20 Keeping things fresh and challenging 

01:10:31:08 The role of the ego 

01:15:06:20 Sound Off 

01:20:12:11 Rapid Fire Round

My guest for this episode is Jeff Purtle.

Jeff is a systematic kind of guy. As a student of the legendary Claude Gordon, Jeff was taught more than just how to play the trumpet. Jeff absorbed Claude’s passion for teaching and his knack for helping students develop a systematic approach to daily practice. Jeff is thoughtful, insightful, and a lifelong learner. And he is always willing to help others find a better way.

Check out what Jeff has to say about creating digital content, how he began studying with Claude Gordon, Claude Gordon's teaching style, his big takeaways from his time with Claude Gordon, the benefits and pitfalls of teaching trumpet online, adjusting teaching styles, the most important things to practice, important method books, newer and lesser known method books, keeping up a personal practice routine, and so much more.

So pour yourself a big glass, pull up a chair, and let the hang begin!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Want to know more about Jeff? Check out his website: https://www.purtle.com/

Sound like a million bucks without breaking the bank with Barkley Microphones: http://barkleymic.com/

Let Vennture Mouthpieces help you on your search for the perfect mouthpiece. Use the code "TRUMPETGURUS21" to get 10% off your purchase: https://www.vennture.mp/

If you play hard, you need to make sure you show your chops some love with Robinson's Remedies products: bit.ly/ChopLove

Let Jose help you master your mental game: bit.ly/MindfulnessSecrets

-----------------------------------------------------------------

00:00:00 Intro

00:05:00 Creating digital content

00:08:21 How he began studying with Claude Gordon

00:17:30 Claude Gordon's teaching style

00:24:42 His big takeaways from his time with Claude Gordon

00:30:11 The benefits and pitfalls of teaching trumpet online

00:41:08 Adjusting teaching styles

00:48:00 The most important things to practice

00:52:03 Important method books

00:54:55 Newer and lesser known method books

01:03:23 Keeping up a personal practice routine

01:09:12 Sound Off

01:14:15 Geared Up

01:18:38 Rapid Fire Round