Playing Lead Trumpet: Trumpet DVD

This is instruction from someone actively playing the gigs your students aspire to play. Bergeron doesn't theorize about lead trumpet; he shows you how he's solving these problems night after night in professional settings. The breadth is remarkable: from physiological basics (diaphragm work, 80% of max range) to the musical nuances (doits, falls, rips) to the business reality of professionalism and reliability that separates working players from good ones.

Direct and matter-of-fact, like sitting down with a pro who's generous with his knowledge. Bergeron doesn't oversell or mystify; he walks through specific problems and specific solutions, whether that's mouthpiece selection, tone production, or the attitude you bring to a section.

This DVD serves serious high school and college trumpet players committed to jazz performance and lead trumpet roles, as well as working professionals seeking to refine their approach. It works equally well for students asking "what does a lead trumpet player actually do?" and professionals looking to reinforce fundamentals.

• Establish a consistent warm-up routine that serves your chops, not just preps them. Bergeron covers maintenance and care strategies that protect your endurance throughout longer engagements.
• Study the articulation and interpretation section closely if you're learning jazz phrasing conventions. The distinction between swing, Latin, and straight-eighths feel is foundational, and Bergeron demonstrates how these concepts shape how you tongue and phrase.
• Pay attention to the ornamentation demonstrations (doits, falls, turns, rips, bends). These details separate functional lead playing from compelling lead playing.
• Work with the Gordon Goodwin play-alongs included with the DVD. Playing over actual big band charts grounds every concept in real musical context rather than abstract exercise.

Use this as a resource for any trumpet student working toward jazz ensemble or big band participation. A director might screen sections with the ensemble to establish shared language around articulation and phrasing, or assign individual students specific topics to study based on their growth needs. The comprehensive scope means students can return to it throughout their high school or college years.

• Lead trumpet tone production and sound concept across genres (swing, Latin, straight-eighths)
• Jazz articulation and ornamentation (doits, falls, turns, rips, bends)
• Range management, accuracy, and endurance at high register
• Breathing technique and diaphragm work for sustained high-register playing
• Equipment selection and care (mouthpieces, horns, mutes) for different musical contexts
• Jazz phrasing interpretation and stylistic listening
• Improvisation fundamentals and approaches