Glenn’s Trumpet Notes

News & Tips for Trumpet & Cornet Students

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Posts Tagged ‘cello’

At Last, My “Showtune Favorites” Trumpet Show for the Residents at Edmonds Landing by Cogir

Posted by glennled on August 15, 2026

“Showtune Favorites” is the first trumpet show that I ever created and performed, and about 8.5 years later, on 10 August 2026, I finally performed it for the residents of Edmonds Landing by Cogir (Independent & Assisted Living in Edmonds, WA).

In this show, I perform two dozen hit songs from musicals and movies that were popular in the residents’ era. Those who remember the words will sing along, and others in the audience may hum the tunes as I play. Along the way, I tell some jokes, and after the show, I pass out a handout of 25 jokes, riddles, and limericks. In this case, a man in the second row from me leapt out of his chair, took the handouts, and distributed them to his peers for me. People often do that. It is so kind.

Courtesy of Edmonds Land by Cogir

One lady came up to me with the joke handout in her hands and said, “This is what we need around here! Laughter. We need to laugh more! Thank you.”

The lady with the beautiful voice, who knew the words to every song, also came up to talk with me. She said how much she enjoyed singing those wonderful songs. I thanked her and praised her voice. Another lady, standing nearby, said hearing her sing was encouragement for others to sing, also. It was obvious she must have performed those songs in musicals in the past. That’s so much fun when a talented, experienced singer bursts out like that.

Courtesy of Edmonds Land by Cogir

A man in his 90s said to me, “You have a nice embouchure.” I thanked him and said, “You must have played.” Yes, he played both trumpet and cello. Such an unusual combination, I thought. Must be a story there. “Then you can do the next show,” I said. Smiling, he passed.

Another man in his 90s, sitting in a wheelchair, was wearing a Korean War Veteran cap. His first career was 28 years in the U.S. Army in artillery. His second career was teaching at a junior college. His father had done the same—two careers, one in the Army and one teaching in college. Amazing. Fewer stories like that now. Changes.

You can see why I love playing music for such good people. I tell them, “I’m going to keep doing this as long as I’m able.” They say, “Do it,” and we grin.

Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Posted in Shows at Retirement Homes | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

My 44th Trumpet Student Came and Went

Posted by glennled on December 25, 2018

dc8Mgnjgi[1]My first weekly trumpet lesson with my 44th trumpet student was on 4 December. Two weeks later, he dropped. But no worries—all is not lost. He’s also taking piano lessons (and has for the past two years), but taking lessons on both instruments is just more than he and his family want to handle at his young age (10). Besides, his sister is taking piano and guitar, too, so there’s a lot of music being played in their home.

He’s a 4th grader at Wedgewood Elementary School in Seattle. At our first lesson, I asked him what attracted him to trumpet. “It’s size and weight,” he answered. He walks to and from school daily, and he simply did not want to carry something like a cello. When we started, he already had Bruce Pearson’s Standard of Excellence, Book 1, Trumpet, so we began with that, learning how to make notes on a brass instrument. During our last lesson, I gave him the music for the first four bars of “Happy Birthday,” which he managed quite well.

We parted amicably, and I encouraged him and his mother, saying that he can still become a good trumpet player if he wants to take band in the 5th grade. In my experience, it’s very rare that a fourth-grade trumpeter will stay with private lessons. They burn out. They simply need to grow and develop just one more year, and then most of them will make it. There are many good reasons why almost all elementary schools start band classes in the fifth grade. The kids are bigger and stronger, their hands have grown, and they have more maturity, discipline, and motivation. My 44th student pleasantly accepted this, and indeed, he may join band class next year. He certainly has had a good head start. Good luck, warm regards, so long for now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

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