The Best Websites for Musicians
A list of useful websites for trumpet players
and musicians of all kinds
The good thing about the internet is that it puts all the information we want at the click of a mouse. The bad thing about it is that there are millions of websites to browse through to find what you need. The ugly thing is that a lot of what is on the internet is really…really bad.
Throughout my career I’ve come across very useful websites, and although I’m sure I missed a few, here are some that will surely help you. From major trumpet manufacturers, to performance anxiety help and advice for buying trumpets, here is the best of best.
Don't Forget to Visit
Musicfitacademy.com: To take private trumpet lessons with me visit this site and sign up. Note that this is a separate entity from THQ and prices, policies and membership guidelines are different.
Youtube.com/trumpetheadquarters: home of the THQ free videos. Subscribe and play some trumpet!
Shop Trumpets & More
Amro Music
This is a little music shop in Tennessee. You will find care and maintenance info for all band instruments and simple buying suggestions. » amromusic.com
Austin Custom Brass
This the shop of trumpet player Trent Austin, where he sells horns he tweaks himself. Not only are his prices right, but everyone knows, Trent is just a really nice guy! » austincustombrass.com
Bach
If you’d like to know more about Bach trumpets just visit this site!
» bachbrass.com
Curry Mouthpieces
Mark runs this mouthpiece shop, and let me tell you, he makes some nice pieces! Check it out! » currympc.com
Denis Wick
The internet home of the widely known mute maker. If you’ve played in band/orchestra, you’ve probably used a Denis Wick mute! They also have a nice mouthpiece collection and accessories. Oh, and Denis himself is a super nice guy. » deniswick.com
Getzen
Home of the great Getzen trumpets. » getzen.com/trumpet
Hickman Music Editions
David Hickman is a widely known trumpet professor who teaches at Arizona State (which is known for dishing out great player after great player.) He has written some of the most important books in trumpet teaching and plays on numerous albums. Check out his site to get some books and music! (I do it all the time). » hickmanmusiceditions.com
Jupiter
Home of the popular Jupiter trumpets. » jupitermusic.com
Mouthpiece Express
A place where you can buy any mouthpiece of any brand, with customizations like gold plating. Plus, lots of accessories! » mouthpieceexpress.com
Musician's Friend
One of the biggest online retailers of music instruments and accessories. » musiciansfriend.com
Schilke
The king of piccolo trumpets, this is the home of Schilke trumpets. » schilkemusic.com
Woodwind & Brasswind
One of the biggest and most popular online retailers of musical instruments and accessories. » wwbw.com
Yamaha
Home of the amazing Yamaha trumpets. » usa.yamaha.com
Great Blogs, Podcasts & News
After Sectionals
This is a podcast about all things band coming to you from the great state of music education, Texas. If you’re a teacher you will really enjoy this site! » aftersectionals.com
Andrew Hitz
This guy went from being a tuba player for the Boston Brass to becoming a mastermind of music entrepreneurship (creative business). Check out his blog, podcast and site » andrewhitz.com
Behind the Note
A podcast site made by jazz trumpeter Chris Davis. His podcasts feature guests that can help you with a little bit of everything, from freelancing, composing, teaching and more. » behindthenote.com
Bob Gillis
Bob’s site is mainly a blog on his experiences and challenges as a teacher and player. Most of them are pretty in depth, so probably not for the light or newbie trumpeter, but definitely a nice place more advanced players and of course, teachers. » bobgillis.wordpress.com
Brass Band World
If you’re into the British style brass band deal, this is the site to keep you updated on news. » brassbandworld.co.uk
Brass Herald
Visit this site for news of the brass world. They keep it updated and there’s always something interesting to read! » thebrassherald.com
Bulletproof Musician
A site dedicated to help musicians with performance anxiety through a fantastic blog and coaching. Bookmark this site now! » bulletproofmusician.com
Downbeat
News and interviews on jazz, blues and beyond. I love the interviews on this site, they’re inspiring and fun to read. » downbeat.com
Hub from Musician's Friend
This website comes from the guys at Musician’s Friend, which is a huge online instrument retailer. The Hub features buying guides for all instruments, fun blogs and more. » thehub.musiciansfriend.com
Instrumentalist
Although you can subscribe to their magazine, the free articles online are great. Hop over to this site to read a little something about anything music related.» theinstrumentalist.com
Jazz Advice
A website with tips for jazz improvisers. The guys that maintain it, Forrest and Eric, post a new blog about once or twice a month. Check it out if you’re into jazz trumpet. » jazzadvice.com
Musician's Way
This one is named after the book “The Musician’s Way”, which teaches you how to be a balanced musician. The website has a lot of links to recommended websites, books, accessories and even a very good blog. I usually swing by this site once a month and see what’s new. » musiciansway.com
Trumpet Journey
A website maintained by Dr. Stanley Curtis, a professional trumpet player and teacher. I like his site because it’s simple and has reliable resources. His blog is current and well written! » trumpetjourney.com
Other
Alexander Technique
Ever heard of Alexander’s technique? It’s a practice that has long helped musicians relieve tension by improving their posture through physical movements. Less tension, better music!
» alexandertechnique.com/musicians.htm
Band Director
If you’re a music teacher you might find some useful stuff here. They have tons of blog posts on teaching music, marching band and much more. » banddirector.com
Bandestration
A website designed to help aspiring composers further their wind instrument composition. In other words, if you want to compose for band, go here. » bandestration.com
Bobby Shew
If you’re a fan of Bobby Shew (who’s not?!) then check out his site. I’ve enjoyed reading his clinic articles and biography. » bobbyshew.com
Classic FM
If you enjoy classical music and funny music memes, go here and have a good time. » classicfm.com
Jay Lichtmann's Sheet Music
A website put together by trumpet player Jay Lichtmann. He has compiled a bunch of free trumpet music for solos, ensembles, warmups and more. If it’s free…it’s for me! Amirite?! » uhaweb.hartford.edu/lichtmann
Last Row Music
This site is kept up by trombonist and super nice guy, Jeremy. The best part about it are the listings of trumpet jobs which are updated regularly. If you’re looking for audition or teaching opportunities this website can help you get started. Also, his site has something for all brass players, not just trumpet. » lastrowmusic.com
Music School Central
Apart from a nice blog about careers in music, this website offers music college consulting, a free music college guide and more. The music career landscape is big, go check it out. » musicschoolcentral.com
Peak Performance Training School
If nerves are keeping you from reaching your performance potential, then check out this site, even if just to buy one of the books. Dr. Green is an expert in peak performance, so check it out. » peakperformancetrainingschool.com
Player + Horn Combos
A cool little spot that tells you what trumpet and mouthpiece famous trumpeters played. It’s super geeky and awesome » abel.hive.no/trompet/playerhorn/
Rob Stewart's Trumpet Site
Rob’s website is all about trumpet makers and their histories. He has a gallery of antique horns, a section where he sells trumpets, restoration info and plenty of historical entertainment. From what I gathered, he seems to have developed a true passion for brass and has turned it into a nice resource for us trumpet lovers. » robbstewart.com
Trumpet Herald
Probably the most popular trumpet forum on the internet. You can join for free to ask the community questions, discuss trumpet topics, and sell/buy stuff from the marketplace. Beware that anyone can post here. Overall, a great community! » trumpetherald.com
Trumpet Museum
“Bad Saeckingen at the river Rhine is well known in the world as the “Town of the Trumpeter”. The location is the Rhine Valley between the border of Switzerland and the Black Forest.” Head over to this site and under “Historic Town Views”, click on “Trumpet Museum” to see some extremely cool (and sometimes strange) trumpets. » trompeter-von-saeckingen.de
Trumpet Pedagogy Project
A website made and maintained by a trumpet player and teacher. I really like the way she explains concepts and her site is simple to navigate. » trumpetpedagogyproject.com
Tucson Jazz Institute
A sweet little website with free sheet music of famous trumpet solos. Seriously…go check it out. » tucsonjazzinstitute.com/resources
Wilktone
A website about jazz, brass, composition and other music related things. There’s quite a bit on embouchures here. » wilktone.com
Wind Plays
A website dedicated to helping you buy a wind instrument. If you’re buying trumpet, check it out! » windplays.com
Music Theory & More
Dave Conservatoire
This website is so awesome. First of all its free. Second of all, it has over 100 video music lessons from absolute beginner to advanced. » daveconservatoire.org
Guy Brown Music
This is a nice little website for players in middle school and high school. It has the accompaniment tracks for the first Standard of Excellence book for trumpet, music history and some audition help. » guybbrownmusic.weebly.com
Khan Academy
A wonderful website featuring lessons on subjects raging from music, to science and math. Simply go to “Arts and Humanities” and then “Music.” Have fun! » khanacademy.com
Mr. Larkins' Band Class
This a band teacher’s website that provides beginner tips, sheet music and audio examples for beginners. Best suited for 5th-6th graders or absolute beginners. Great resource Mr. Larkins! » mpsaz.org
Music Crash Courses
That’s right, music theory crash course. A fantastic website, truly. » musiccrashcourses.com
Music Dictionary
A gigantic music dictionary. Then again, you won’t find some trumpet specific lingo. But that’s ok, we have that here. » dictionary.onmusic.org
Music Theory
Music theory, ear training and drills! I use this website weekly with my studio and it’s so helpful. If you really want to be a better trumpet player, tackle these exercises daily. Musicianship is much more than just playing the right notes! » musictheory.net
Teoria (Theory)
This music theory website is similar to musictheory.net. However, it also features published theory articles (which are super geeky and awesome) and a music glossary. A great place to start understanding theory. » teoria.com
Theta Music Trainer
Another music theory website. It requires you to create an account and sign in to use the stuff. » trainer.thetamusic.com