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tonebase Brass Course

Jazz and Contemporary Styles

Taught by renowned trumpet player

Brandon Ridenour

The trumpet is capable of playing a truly vast range of styles. In his third Style course, Brandon works on jazz and contemporary stylings – from Rhapsody in Blue to Louis Armstrong, to his arrangement of Debussy, through one of his own etudes.

  • checkmark icon
    Difficulty: 
    all-levels
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    Duration: 
    1
     hours 
     hour

Course Syllabus

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (ft.. Peter Dugan)

One of the most celebrated American orchestral compositions, Rhapsody in Blue has become a fixture in the contemporary trumpet repertoire. Brandon discusses the jazz-inspired inflections in this piece, how to work with a harmon mute, and more, along with Peter Dugan, veteran of tonebase piano.

Debussy: Reverie (Discussion) (ft.. Peter Dugan)

Brandon's arrangement of Debussy's Reverie evokes the sound world of Miles Davis: rich, velvety harmon-muted sounds above a shimmering backdrop of modal harmony. Brandon discusses how to create that trademarked harmon mute sound, as well as how to get started with modal improvising.

Debussy: Reverie (Performance) (ft.. Peter Dugan)

Brandon Ridenour and Peter Dugan peform Brandon's arrangement of "Reverie" by Debussy.

Louis Armstrong solo on Wild Man Blues

Often regarded as one of Louis Armstrong's most innovative solos, "Wild Man Blues" is a breathtaking technical and musical accomplishment. Brandon goes under the surface of Armstrong's sound and style, exploring articulation, rhythm, vibrato, time feel, and much more.

Ridenour: Transcendental Etude No. 4 (Discussion)

Brandon's fifth Transcendental etude is all about lyrical leaps. He prescribes some Bai Lin exercises to help you get comfortable slurring wide intervals, and goes on to discuss his musical approach to this piece.

Ridenour: Transcendental Etude No. 4 (Performance)

Brandon Ridenour performs his original etude for solo trumpet.

Click here to download the course workbook PDF and see the full syllabus →
Brandon Ridenour
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Brandon Ridenour

Brandon Ridenour, faculty at Juilliard and member of the American Brass Quintet, is stylistically diverse trumpet soloist, collaborative artist, composer, and arranger also known for his time spent with Canadian Brass.

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Brandon Ridenour

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