This book is a passion project that I workshopped on and off for years.  Along the way, though many details changed from draft to draft, the two “guiding-light” objectives held fast:

 

1.) Create an intermediate-level etude book that highlights the trumpet’s exceptional versatility. I think of it as a musical buffet of trumpet stylings: Dixieland, Symphony Orchestra, Ska, Baroque, Salsa, Broadway, and MANY more. By working through these etudes, you’ll gain a broad understanding of the many musical landscapes where the trumpet thrives, offering you a “taste” of its awesomely diverse range.        

 

 

2.) “Gamify” fundamentals using a deck of cards.  For anyone who has found themselves caught in monotonous warm-up routines, I’ve organized 52 distinct exercises across various fundamental categories to help make practice sessions more dynamic and engaging. The idea here is simple: draw a card to determine which exercises to play. These exercises are simple enough for emerging students to grasp quickly and educational from a theoretical perspective all while promoting good form in terms of breath control, tone production and flow.  By using cards as a randomizing agent, you will never play the same exact routine twice!

        

 

I associate Jungle Gyms as places that spark joy, invite play and exploration, inspire creativity and, if it’s a good one, encourage a certain degree of risk taking.  I loved playing on them as a kid and now, as a parent, I love watching my kids play on them.  If I’m completely honest, I still enjoy them! : )  I hope this Musical Jungle Gym can encourage some of those same feelings and be a place where you and/or your students can have fun and grow.