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Course Syllabus

Getting Started

For Ryan Darke, a warm-up is about removing his ego and preparing himself for playing the trumpet. To do this, he uses different breathing techniques such as a breathing bag, mouthpiece breathing, and an incentive spirometer as well as exercises to reduce tension such as loose lip flaps.

Long Tones and Slurs

The goal when playing the trumpet is efficiency. Ryan walks us through bends and long tones to show how to get the aperture to be fully responsive. From the bends, Ryan brings us through Irons, Flexus, and Arban exercises to get everything in the face moving how it should.

Articulation and more

Articulation is a crucial part of playing the trumpet. In this lesson, Ryan brings us through some variations on Chris Gekker's one-minute drill, speed exercises, as well as Pandolfi and Cichowicz to center the sound and remove any tension that might have crept in during the warm-up.

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Ryan Darke
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Ryan Darke

Ryan Darke performs as principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and teaches trumpet at the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University of Long Beach.

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Ryan Darke

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