Blow the Trumpets, Vol. 2: Trumpet Book & 2 CDs

The material opens up a new sonic world where swing feel, bluesy articulations, and section cohesion become your focus. You'll hear how your trumpet voice sits within a larger ensemble voice, moving from solo showmanship to integrated teamwork.

Trumpet players at the basic to intermediate level who are ready to move beyond classical fundamentals into jazz performance. This works well for ensemble members who need to understand their role within a section, as well as individual students building jazz literacy.

• Listen to both CDs multiple times before and during your work with the book. Train your ear to recognize the articulation, phrasing, and timbre choices that define the style.
• Practice the section parts with a recorded ensemble backing rather than in isolation. This trains your instincts for blend and balance from your earliest encounters with the material.
• Pay close attention to the jazz notation conventions and rhythmic figures the book introduces. Translating these into consistent sound takes deliberate repetition with the recordings as your guide.

Pair this with ensemble rehearsals where students apply section concepts in real time. The CDs provide reference recordings that directors can use during sectional rehearsals to establish a shared sound ideal across the trumpet section.

• Reading jazz notation and rhythmic figures
• Swing articulation and phrasing
• Trumpet section balance and blend
• Jazz comping and accompaniment roles
• Listening discrimination between classical and jazz trumpet tone