Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • September 2014
17
At this point I am going offer up what may be viewed
as a very controversial point of view, and I am willing
to suffer the consequences. I think it is quite acceptable,
if not beneficial, to downplay buzzing the mouthpiece
by itself as a major part of teaching the trumpet to
beginners. Yes, I said that! Playing on the mouthpiece
by itself is harder to do than playing the trumpet,
and therefore students have limited success with it.
Furthermore, playing on the mouthpiece is not all that
fun. They want to play the trumpet...we all did! In fact,
the sooner the teacher can have new students playing
a recognizable melody, the sooner you have them, and
their parents, hooked. Why not experiment with one
class and try teaching without emphasizing mouthpiece
buzzing. Instead, speak not of buzzing at all, but of
blowing smoothly through the trumpet until the sound
catches. Don’t expect students to hit certain pitches.
Some will naturally play lower and some higher. Allow
them to enjoy success where they are. If they can play a
great low C, start there. If the student in the next chair
plays a nice G, or even a fourth space C, go with it.
Enjoy some harmony! After a few days they will learn to
make the adjustments necessary to play other pitches.
Above all, be encouraging and make it fun. Hear
them play often. Give them frequent chair tests, but
allow ties. If it is fun, and they are having success, they
will practice more and stay in band longer. Teaching
beginner trumpets is like anything else: nothing works
for everybody, but everything works for somebody. If
my ideas don’t work for you, that does not offend me,
but if they help you in some way, then I am pleased I
could help.
Teaching Beginner Trumpet Students
Dr. Gary Wurtz teaches trumpet, directs the top jazz band, and is the Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies for the School of Music
at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he has taught since 1992. Prior to becoming the Professor of Trumpet
at SFASU, Wurtz taught private trumpet at numerous public schools, and alongside such respected band directors as Cindy Bulloch, Dick
Clardy, Malcolm Helm, John Benzer, Frank Troyka and Pete Tolhuizen. He has played trumpet professionally in many orchestras, jazz groups,
wind bands, chamber ensembles, commercial venues and as a soloist. He held the position of Principal Trumpet of the Richardson Symphony
Orchestra for 16 years as well as co-principal and principal positions in Mexico City and in the Dominican Republic. At SFA he has chaired the
Faculty Senate, and in 2011 he was chosen as the recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Fine Arts. His students have gone
on to successful careers as band directors, performers, military bandsmen, and even careers outside of music. He received a Bachelor of Music
Education degree from West Texas A&M University in 1985, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas in 1987
and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from UNT in 2001. Dr. Wurtz is an artist for Schilke Trumpets.
Do you have an idea for a clinic?
Do you wish to make a presentation?
TBA members, music educators and
TBA Business Members can submit clinic proposals
for the 2015 convention online at
www.texasbandmasters.org.
20 1 5 TBA Convent i on/C l i n i c
•
Thursday - Sunday , Ju l y 23 - 26
•
San Anton i o , Texas