Posts Tagged ‘lessons’
Posted by glennled on May 1, 2017
A 20-some-odd-year-old engineering student at the University of Washington from Saudi Arabia is my 32nd trumpet student—imagine that! His first lesson was on 17 March, and he wants to concentrate on jazz. He simply loves the beautiful sound of the trumpet, especially as played by Miles Davis. Davis’s “So What” is a big favorite of his. 
His intensity and enthusiasm are special, but we soon found that he faces two obstacles that never trouble most trumpeters. First, he has what’s called a “protruding upper lip.” People whose mouth is structured this way find that when they form their embouchure to buzz into the mouthpiece, their upper lip suddenly pops outward, creating a little, triangular “button” that causes the soft top lip to roll out and disrupt the air flow. This makes it exceedingly difficult both to sound a good, round, fat, solid tone and also to reach notes in the higher register.
Musicians with this embouchure usually are switched to a brass instrument with a larger mouthpiece, such as a trombone, baritone, or tuba. But that is not always necessary. The Balanced Embouchure (2001) by Jeff Smiley is the only instruction book I have found so far that directly discusses this condition and presents specific exercises for trumpeters who do not want to switch. Smiley’s excellent book is available at http://www.trumpetteacher.net.
To complicate things further, he had surgery on his lower jaw a couple of years ago and was left with no feeling in his lower lip. We determined that he could form that lip correctly to make a proper-looking embouchure, but his lower lip cannot feel the buzz. Imagine having to contend with that!
These two conditions present him (and me, as his instructor) with a unique challenge. Engineers carry a heavy academic load. We’ll see whether he wants to continue with the trumpet under these unique, tough circumstances. Will he eventually play jazz, even if it’s simply for his own pleasure? Well, either way, we know he’ll never stop enjoying it. And that’s good.
Posted in New Students - Intro Posts | Tagged: brass, embouchure, jazz, Jeff Smiley, lessons, Miles Davis, mouthpiece, So What, The Balanced Embouchure, trumpet | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on December 21, 2016
Glenn Ledbetter and Aidan, “Echo Taps” buglers
Did you know that “Echo Taps” is not an official U.S. military bugle call and is not to be sounded at funeral and graveside ceremonies? But because people like it, it is often used at other ceremonies, as it was this year on 11 November at Veterans Park in Lynnwood. During my time as bugler for VFW Post 1040, we first used a trumpet student of mine to play the “echo” part on Memorial Day, 1 June 2013. Ever since, we have continued to use them on both Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November (except one when I was sick).
In all, so far, six of my students have sounded “Echo Taps” with me in seven such ceremonies—Josiah, Vaughan, Robert (twice), Sarah, Gavin, and Aidan. Aidan did so this past Veterans Day. He is an 8th grader at Washington Middle School in Seattle and started taking private trumpet lessons with me earlier this year (see my blog post of 13 April 2016).
If you’re curious about additional coverage of “Echo Taps” in this blog, please see my posts of:
- 19 July 2011—echo by Roy Pollock, Medal of Honor ceremony
- 2 July 2012—echo by Bob O’Neal, War of 1812 Bicentennial ceremony
- 19 November 2012—echo by Richard Haydis, Veterans Day ceremony
- 1 June 2013—echo by Josiah Chupik, Memorial Day ceremony
- 19 June 2014—echo by Robert Zhou, Memorial Day ceremony
- 15 April 2015—echo by Sarah Dunsmore, Veterans Day ceremony
- 17 September 2015—echo by Robert Zhou, Memorial Day ceremony
- 22 July 2016—echo by Gavin [name withheld], Memorial Day ceremony
Photo by Rick Grambihler.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: bugle, bugler, echo taps, lessons, student, trumpet, VFW Post 1040, Washington Middle School | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on November 10, 2016
Skyline at First Hill is a Presbyterian retirement community in downtown Seattle near St. James Cathedral and Harborview Hospital. Between its two wings, one for independent living (Skyline Towers) and the other for assisted living (Skyline Terraces), is a courtyard. That’s where I stood in the rain on 2 November to sound “Taps” on my Getzen bugle after the responsive reading of “We Remember Them” by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer, which is found in the Jewish Prayer Book (please see http://hmd.org.uk/resources/poetry/we-remember-them-sylvan-kamens-rabbi-jack-riemer). Then “Taps” closed the second annual “Skyline Memorial Walk” ceremony hosted by Skyline’s chaplain, The Reverend Elizabeth Graham.
Earlier, the residents and staff of Skyline had been invited to submit the names of veterans and others whom they wished to be remembered in advance of Veterans Day, 11 November. Their names—about 200—were read aloud, interspersed with periodic bell ringing, before the audience. Twenty, mostly elderly people gathered in the Madrona Community Room: two men, 18 women, silent in their memories of their dear veterans of WWI, WWII, and every conflict since, and others.
The names were then written on individual placards staked into the fertile soil in the planters in the courtyard, where they remained for a week so that the residents, staff and guests could walk among them. 
Isn’t it amazing? In place after place across the nation, around the world, year after year, our veterans are honored. The lowest, the highest, it matters not. To paraphrase a famous saying, when you put on the military uniform, whether on active duty, retired, or national guard or reserve, you write a blank check at that point in your life, made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount of “up to and including your life.” Engraved on my bugle is a citation of the Biblical verse, John 15:13. We honor such men and women.
Rev. Graham found me through my membership in Bugles Across America (please see http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/ and my post of 4 May 2015). I’m glad she did. I’m glad I played cornet through high school and college. I’m glad I teach private trumpet lessons. I’m glad I teach beginning brass at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. I’m glad I play trumpet in the Husky Alumni Band. I’m glad I play in the Alderwood Community Church Orchestra in Lynnwood. I’m glad I’m the VFW Post 1040 Bugler. All these things enable me to sound “Taps” for veterans every chance I get—it’s my honor, and I’m grateful. Lucky me.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Westward view from the courtyard, Skyline Retirement Community, Seattle
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Skyline Towers from the courtyard
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Skyline Terraces from the courtyard
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: brass, bugle, bugler, Bugles Across America, cornet, Getzen, Husky Alumni Band, lessons, orchestra, Skyview Retirement Community, Taps, trumpet, veterans | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on October 4, 2016
Lucky me! Under the guidance of Charlie Fix, Band and Orchestra Director, I get to teach beginning brass again to 5th and 6th graders in the two elementary bands that practice and perform at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. Classes for 2nd-year band members began on 12 September and for 1st-year band members, today, 4 October.
This year, I have about 35 trumpet students, 10 trombones, and one French Horn. Some years, I have baritone players, too. This is my sixth year as a para-professional teacher in the Northshore School District.
In addition, I give private lessons to other students in the North Seattle-to-Edmonds and Eastside areas.
Posted in Skyview Junior High | Tagged: band, baritone, brass, Charlie Fix, classes, French horn, lessons, orchestra, teacher, trombone, trumpet | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on August 26, 2016
At Ballard High School, Seattle
If you’re a musician, you’re a performer, an entertainer. You’re meant to play for an audience. Naturally, you do it for your own pleasure, because you’re talented and it’s fun. But it’s a gift you share with others in a band or orchestra, and together, you give to an audience something of beauty and pleasure–music. If you’re good enough, they’ll even pay money to receive your gift.
But imagine this: you attend a private school without a music program. You don’t get to perform at three concerts per school year like students in most other schools, even though you take private trumpet lessons year-round. That’s the predicament of one of my students. So, what does he do?
He attends the Seattle Music Camp in the summer! He did so last year and again this year at Ballard High School. And on 21 July, as a forthcoming 8th-grader, he played in a public concert for just the second time in his life. And he got to perform in both the Senior Band and the Jazz Band. Good for him. Well done!
This was the camp’s 63rd Annual Summer Music Evening Concert, held at Ballard High School on 21 July and headed by Mark Oesterle, a music teacher in the Seattle School District since 2001. The other five camp teachers were Lindsey Dustin (Junior Orchestra), Mika Armaly (Senior Orchestra), Katrina Sibicky (Junior Band), Aaron Hennings (Intermediate Band and Jazz Band), and Michael James (Chamber Ensemble and Senior Band).
Michael James conducts Senior Band at Seattle School District’s 2016 Summer Band Camp
Michael James is Director of Bands at Ballard High School. His award-winning Ballard Jazz Band has performed at three of the nation’s most prestigious jazz festivals—the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in New York City, Swing Central Jazz Festival in Savannah, Georgia, and Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. In April 2017, his Ballard Wind Ensemble will perform in Carnegie Hall at the New York International Music Festival.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Carnegie Hall, ensemble, Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, jazz, lessons, Michael James, New York International Music Festival, Next Generation Jazz Festival, orchestra, Swing Central Jazz Festival, trumpet | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on August 1, 2016
I’ve been to College Place Middle School (CPMS) in Lynnwood before but never for a band concert until, on 16 June, I went to hear my 27th trumpet student play in the 8th Grade Wind Ensemble, under Kate Labiak, Director, College Place Bands. What a treat! My student has been taking private trumpet lessons with me since last February (see my blog
7th Grade Concert Band (L) and Orchestra (R), College Place Middle School, Lynnwood
post of 21 February 2016). But soon she’ll be moving again to enter 9th grade in the high school at Orting, southeast of Tacoma. Incidentally, her younger sister also plays trumpet.
Performing were the 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras, Concert Choir, 66-member 7th Grade Concert Band, and the 55-member 8th Grade Wind Ensemble. The latter played three pieces, highlighted (to me) by Procession of the Nobles, by Rimsky-Korsakov, arranged by
The two “Students’ Choice: Outstanding Musician Award” winners, trumpeters, 7th Grade Band (L) and Jazz Band (R)
Balent. Three students performed as Guest Conductors.
Two male trumpeters won the “Students’ Choice—Outstanding Musician” awards: one in the Concert Band and one in the Jazz Ensemble. Way to go, boys, very impressive!
Click on any photo to enlarge it.
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: award, band, College Place Middle School, concert, jazz, Kate Labiak, lessons, musician, trumpet, trumpeters, wind ensemble | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 25, 2016
WMS Concert Band, Ms. Kelly Barr-Clingan introduces Mr. Trimis, Guest Conductor
On 14 June, the Senior Ensembles Spring Concert by Washington Middle School (WMS) drew an enthusiastic, standing-room only crowd at the Quincy Jones Performance Center at Garfield High School in Seattle. It took about two and a half hours, but the enthusiasm never waned, and the concert ended with the grateful audience giving a standing ovation to the outgoing Director of Bands and Jazz, Kelly Barr-Clingan.
Farewell, beloved Kelly Barr-Clingan
In the past 8 years, I’ve attended many school concerts at numerous places in the Greater Seattle area, and for me, this concert format was unique. In between the major choir, orchestra, and band performances, different student ensembles played and/or sang. Each one was called a “Jazz/Fidd Cornerstone Group,” apparently playing music of its choice. What a unique way of getting lots of students personally involved and willing to perform for the public! Imagine the many more practice sessions they would have, compared to the lesser amount of practice they would do for a more conventional concert. Imagine the friendships that develop from working together in small groups. Fun!
Another unique feature of this concert was the involvement of Banda Vagos, playing music from Mexico with the combined choir, band and orchestra early in the program. Please see https://www.facebook.com/BANDA.VAGOS.
How did I know about this concert? Why did I go? Because one of the 12 trumpet players in the Concert Band takes private lessons from me. I posted a story about him on 13 April 2016.
WMS’s enrollment is exceeds 1,100 students, and “more than half of the school’s population is enrolled in a music ensemble.” To learn more about the music program, please see:
The new Director of Bands and Jazz is Jared Sessink, a trumpeter of renown. He was the only American finalist in the 2013 International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition. Elizabeth Fortune is Director of Orchestras and Eclectic Strings. Blake Saunders is Director of Choirs.
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Featuring Banda Vagos singer
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Kelly Barr-Clingan conducts combined band and orchestra and Banda Vagos
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Choir
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String Quartet
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Student conducts orchestra
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Student conductor
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Kelly Barr-Clingan introduces Mr. Trimis, UW intern, to conduct Concert Band
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Concert Band
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Trumpet soloist-1
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Trumpet soloist-2
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Lights out for “Star Wars”
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WMS combined band and orchestra
Posted in School Concerts | Tagged: band, Banda Vagos, ensemble, Garfield High School, Kelly Barr Clingan, lessons, music, orchestra, Quincy Jones, trumpet, trumpeter, Washington Middle School | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 24, 2016
Photo by Nancy MacDonald
Three students performed at the 7th Annual Trumpet Recital in our home in Edmonds on 18 June, and three more were unable to attend. Of the performers, two are going into 8th grade next fall, and one is going into 9th grade. One began private trumpet lessons with me in December 2013, another in September 2014, and the third in February 2016. Selections included music by Elton John, Tim Rice, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, John Williams, Pat Ballard, Francoise Couperin, and John Kander. Popular pieces were Hedwig’s Theme, Cabaret, and When I’m 64.
After the performances, I gave a brief clinic and demonstration of the Herald Trumpet, English Bugle, Getzen Field Trumpet, Cornet, and Trumpet, so that the parents, relatives and friends in the audience could better appreciate the history and complexity of these instruments, as well as the difficulties which students must learn to control in order to master them. Refreshments were served after the recital.
Posted in Musical Events at Home, Recitals | Tagged: bugle, Caberet, clinic, cornet, English, Getzen, Hedwig's Theme, herald, instruments, lessons, recital, trumpet, When I'm 64 | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 22, 2016
“Echo Taps” partners, Memorial Day, 2016. Photo by Gary Walderman.
He’s only a seventh grader, going into eighth this fall, but he plays the trumpet with confidence and accuracy. So I asked him to play “Echo Taps” with me at the Memorial Day ceremony on 30 May at Veterans Park in Lynnwood. Other students of mine have played the “echo” part with me there, but they were all older and in high school. Also, those other students had all taken private trumpet lessons with me. This trumpeter, however, was my student when he was in the beginning bands at Skyview Jr. High School in Bothell. He’s doing well in the 7th grade band and jazz band at SJHS now.
“Echo Taps,” Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler. Photo by Janelle Squires.
The weather this year was the best ever in my five years as VFW Post 1040 Bugler. On Memorial Day, I get to sound three bugle calls: “Assembly” (to open the ceremony), “Echo Taps” (to conclude the ceremony), and “To the Color” (when the flag is hoisted from half- to full-mast at noon). Attendance at this half-hour ceremony and the one on Veterans Day (11 November) is growing.
My Getzen bugle has two tuning slides. I use the G slide for “Tattoo,” “Taps,” and “Funeral March,” and the Bb slide for all other bugle calls. Love that horn!
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Lynnwood Police, faithful attendees of this annual Memorial Day ceremony. Photo by Nancy MacDonald.
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Northwest Junior Pipe Band leads the opening parade. Photo by Janelle Squires.
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Northwest Junior Pipe Band. Photo by Nancy MacDonald.
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Color Guard, Nile Shriners, Mountlake Terrace. Photo by Janelle Squires.
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VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard, Lynnwood. Photo by Nancy MacDonald.
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Nile Shriners, Mountlake Terrace. Photo by Nancy MacDonald.
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Northwest Junior Pipe Band. Photo by Nancy MacDonald.
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VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard, Lynnwood. Photo by Gary Walderman.
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“Echo Taps,” Glenn Ledbetter, VFW Post 1040 Bugler. Photo by Janelle Squires.
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Three Bricks–Herb, Mac, and Glenn. Photo by Janelle Squires.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations | Tagged: Assembly, band, bugle, bugler, echo taps, Funeral March, Getzen, horn, jazz, lessons, Taps, Tattoo, To the Color, trumpet, trumpeter | Leave a Comment »
Posted by glennled on July 19, 2016
Photo by Carol Sheldon
Pacific Little League Day, 23 April, gave me the opportunity to show off my Getzen Field Trumpet again when I sounded the bugle call, “To the Color,” as Boy Scout Troop 49 presented the colors before a large crowd of parents, relatives and friends at Lynndale Park in Lynnwood.
I love that horn! I should let the trumpet students to whom I give private lessons play it. Bet they’d be amazed.
This is my fifth year in a row sounding this bugle call immediately before the singing of the National Anthem. For more in-depth articles and photos of Pacific Little League (www.pacificlittleleague.com) and this special ceremony, please see my blog posts of:
- 22 May 2012
- 26 May 2013
- 7 June 2014
- 4 May 2015
Please click on any photo to enlarge it.
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Photo by Nancy MacDonald
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Photo by Carol Sheldon
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Photo by Nancy MacDonald
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Color Guard, Boy Scout Troop 49, Lynnwood, preparing to “Present the Colors.” Photo by K.J. Squires.
Posted in Ceremonies & Celebrations, Uncategorized | Tagged: Boy Scout Troop 49, bugle, Getzen, horn, lessons, Pacific Little League, trumpet | Leave a Comment »
Glenn's Trumpet Notes 