Adrian D. Griffin, Trumpet

˜ Private Applied Trumpet Instruction ™

• FRESHMAN level Course Material
• SOPHOMORE level Course Material
• JUNIOR level Course Material
• SENIOR level Course Material
• GRADUATE level Course Material
• Representative list of solo repertoire
• Recommended Orchestra Literature for Applied Trumpet Students

PDF Version

 Office Hours:  Office hours will be posted each week on my door.  In addition, individual meetings may be scheduled at any time by appointment.

Office phone:  512-680-1208

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to expose students to major aspects of trumpet performance and pedagogy as well as to develop a strong fundamental approach to the instrument. All students will be required to prepare materials on a weekly basis based on their individual needs and educational interests. In addition to the standard etude and solo literature appropriate to the individual student’s level, areas on concentration will include (but are not limited to) transposition, orchestral excerpts, different keyed trumpets, sight-reading, range, tone production, endurance, flexibility and articulation.
Students will have a minimum of 12 private lessons during the semester. The final lesson grade will be determined by a combination of the weekly lesson grade, the end-of-semester jury performed for the brass faculty, and participation in trumpet seminar, as well as a mid-term performance exam and the student’s studio notebook. Students who perform and pass a degree recital are exempt from performing a jury exam that semester. Fewer lessons than 12 will result in the lowering of the final grade. 

 PRACTICE GUIDELINES:

Practice Policy:  If a student is receiving four hours credit, it is expected that he/she will practice a minimum of three hours every day outside of rehearsals, for both performance and education majors.  For two hours credit, the daily practice requirement is a minimum of one and a half hours. The amount of material covered will vary greatly for each individual, but a basic repertoire guide for all levels can be found at the end of the syllabus. Practice should include the following areas:

1. Warm-up
2. Scales, arpeggios, and transposition
3. Etudes (both lyric and technical)
4. Band/Orchestra Excerpts
5. Technical studies and articulation
6. Solo repertoire

GRADING:

Weekly Lesson/Performance Grades - 60%
Performance Juries - 30%
Reading/Writing Project - 10%

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

1. Lesson preparation and subsequent improvement
2. Scales, arpeggios, and transposition (Mid-term exam)
3. Studio class/master classes (attendance and active participation)
4. Recital attendance
5. Juries
6. Reading/Writing Project
7. Notebook

Note: All students are required to purchase and bring to lessons a notebook, consisting of a 3-ring binder with the following sections:

1. Syllabus
2. Assignment/Grading Form
3. Warm-up materials, and
4. Handouts.

Note: All students are required to purchase and bring to lessons a notebook, consisting of a 3-ring binder with the following sections:  1. Syllabus 2. Assignment/Grading For 3. Warm-up materials, and 4. Handouts. 

I will check lesson notebooks periodically. It is important for you to keep it up to date at all times. Neatness will count!  Be prepared to present them during mid-term and finals week.

POLICY ON INSTRUCTIONAL MODIFICATIONS:

LESSON ATTENDANCE :

Each trumpet student will be given a one-hour lesson per week (minimum of 50 minutes to allow for student travel time between classes, if needed.) At the beginning of the semester, each student will fill out a form listing their weekly schedule, name, and phone number. Lessons will be scheduled on a week-to-week basis, based on both the student's and my schedules, and a weekly schedule will be posted outside my studio door as well as on the internet. A semi-permanent schedule will be followed as much as possible.  Each student will receive a minimum of twelve lessons/coachings a semester.

I MUST be notified at lease 24 hours in advance if rescheduling or cancellation is necessary (emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis).  No-shows without just cause will be treated as an unexcused absence resulting in an "F" for the lesson grade. Tardiness of more than 15 minutes will result in a minimum of one grade letter lower for that lesson. In addition, I retain the prerogative to terminate any lesson for which the student demonstrates inadequate preparation, resulting in an "F" for the lesson grade.

Attendance at studio class is mandatory for all trumpet majors/emphasis. In addition, attendance is required at all faculty brass recitals, brass student degree recitals, and all guest brass recitals/master classes. The private lesson absence policy will apply to the studio class and all required recitals: 24-hour advance notification with just cause or an "F" will be averaged into the semester grade.

Please note:

1. Lessons unavoidably missed due to illness or emergency will be made up when possible if cancelled in advance. When lessons must be canceled due to illness or emergency, you are required to call the trumpet studio office BEFORE the scheduled lesson.
2. Lessons missed for reasons other than illness or emergency, and lessons missed without advance notice will not be made up, and will result in a failing grade for that week.   After the fourth lesson is missed, I can assign a letter grade of an “F” or “IN”.  This decision is solely up to me and the brass chairman.
3. Unexcused absences/tardiness from two lessons during any one semester will result in failure for that term. Master classes, seminars and studio recitals are considered part of the lesson. Seminars, master classes and recitals, of course, cannot be made up.
4. Lessons missed due to absence of the teacher will be made up at the mutual convenience of the student and teacher.

JURIES :

All trumpeters are expected to take a jury examination at the end of each semester, to be adjudicated by the brass faculty. Students who have given a degree recital are exempt from this requirement. Teacher-assigned repertoire for the jury exam will include one solo with piano accompaniment.  Students who have given optional (non-degree) recitals will be required to take the jury exam.

RECITALS :

There are two types of recitals: degree and non-degree.  Students are encouraged but not required to perform a non-degree recital to provide them with valuable performing experience.  Students are expected to devote the same amount of detailed attention and artistic commitment to both degree and non-degree recitals.  Please consult me before planning your recital to go over music selections as well as filling out the necessary forms.

SCALES:

Scales must be passed off by the end of your sophomore year.
Scale types are as follows: Major, pure minor, harmonic and melodic.  All scales MUST be memorized at pass off.  Scale barriers are offered each semester.  In addition, scales will be covered and talked through during lessons.  Hand-outs will be available.

MUSIC/TEXTS :

1. Each student will be required to purchase materials based on their particular level and musical and educational objectives.
2. Plan on budgeting for music as you would for any other class.

I would recommend the following vendors for published music and books:

— Brass/Trumpet Pedagogy Books –

Baines, Brass Instruments, Their History and Development (Faber)
Dale, Trumpet Technique (Oxford Univ. Press)
Eliason, Instrument Makers (Brass Press)
Farkas, The Art of Brass Playing
Farkas, The Art of Musicianship
Farkas, A Photographic Study of 40 Viruoso Horn Players’ Embouchures
Green, The Inner Game of Music (Double Day)
ITG, Related Trumpet and Brass Articles
Hanson, Brass Playing (Fischer)
Jacobs, Arnold, Song and Wind by Frederiksen, pub. Windsong Press.
Johnson, Art of Trumpet Playing (Iowa Univ. Press)
Mathie, The Trumpet Teacher's Guide (Queen City)
Mendez, Prelude to Brass Playing (Fischer)
Smiley, The Balanced Embouchure
Smithers, The Music and History of the Baroque Trumpet before 1721
Weast, Keys to Natural Performance (Brass World)

— History of the Trumpet –

Altenburg, The Trumpeters’ and Kettledrummers’ Art.  The Brass Press
Bendinelli, Tutta l’arte della Trombetta. English trans. by Tarr.  The Brass Press
Dalquist, The Keyed Bugle and Its Greatest Virtuoso, Anton Weidinger  (Brass Press)
Fantini, Modo imperare a sonare di tromba.  English trans. by Tarr.  The Brass Press
Smithers, The Music and History of the Baroque Trumpet Before 1721.  Syracuse University Press.
Tarr, “Trumpet.”  Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians
Tarr, The Trumpet.  Amadeus Press

Corresponding Undergraduate and
Graduate Studies Material

Suggested etudes and solos from which lesson material will be taught from include (but are not limited to):

FRESHMAN level

This material will also be used to address particular problems or areas of deficit as determined by myself and the student.

SOLO LITERATURE

A minimum of one solo per semester to be selected from, or of equivalent difficulty to, the sections 1 or 2 solo lists.  Two of these works must be performed for a jury or master-class.

MASTER CLASS

New materials (repertoire and pedagogical ideas) will be added and discussed each master class as well as performances from members of the studio and myself.  Be prepared! We may also have guest speakers and performers.

SOPHOMORE level

In addition to the materials above:
  

SOLO LITERATURE

The student should select a minimum of two solos per semester from, or of equivalent difficulty to, the sections 1 or 2 solo lists.  Two of these works must be performed for a jury or master-class.

MASTER CLASS

New materials (repertoire and pedagogical ideas) will be added and discussed each master class as well as performances from members of the studio and myself.  Be prepared!  We may also have guest speakers and performers.

JUNIOR level  

In addition to the materials above:

TECHNICAL STUDIES

Studies at this level will be determined by the myself and the student.

SOLO LITERATURE

A minimum of two solos per semester are to be selected from, or of equivalent difficulty to, the section 2 solo lists.  Two of these works must be performed for a jury or master class.

JURY EXTRAS

Write brief program notes to accompany your jury solo or etude selection.  This exercise will help in preparing you to write your program notes for your senior recital.

MASTER CLASS

New materials (repertoire and pedagogical ideas) will be added and discussed each master class as well as performances from members of the studio and myself.  Be prepared!  We may also have guest speakers and performers.

SENIOR level  

In addition to the materials above:

TRANSPOSITION STUDIES

Continue as directed.

SOLO LITERATURE

A minimum of three solos per semester are to be selected from, or of equivalent difficulty to, the section 2 solo lists.  Two of these works must be performed for a performance or repertoire class or a recital must be prepared according to degree program.

CAREER BUILDERS

Mock orchestra and band auditions must be prepared.  One mock audition per semester will take place.  Resume building techniques will also be implemented.  Auditioning for graduate school and job application techniques.

RECITAL EXTRAS

Write fully detailed program notes to accompany your senior solo recital.

MASTER CLASS

New materials (repertoire and pedagogical ideas) will be added and discussed each master class as well as performances from members of the studio and myself.  Be prepared!  We may also have guest speakers and performers.

GRADUATE level :

SOLO LITERATURE

A minimum of four solos per semester are to be selected by myself and the student.  Three of these works must be performed for a recital. 

CAREER BUILDERS

Mock orchestra and band auditions will be prepared.  One mock audition per semester will take place.  Resume building techniques will also be implemented.

RECITAL EXTRAS

Write fully detailed program notes to accompany your graduate solo recital performance.

MASTER CLASS

New materials (repertoire and pedagogical ideas) will be added and discussed each master class as well as performances from members of the studio and myself.  Be prepared!  Graduate students may be asked to conduct/teach master classes.  We may also have guest speakers and performers.

Representative list of solo repertoire

Recommended Orchestra Literature for Applied Trumpet Students