I joined the 1% Trumpet Program in August 2024 with the expectation that it would help me improve my range, endurance, and overall technique as a freelance trumpeter performing weekly with a variety of ensembles. Having played the trumpet for more than forty years, and after retiring from a twenty-two-year career as a middle school and high school band director, I finally had the opportunity to devote greater focus to trumpet performance and more frequent gigging. However, as my playing increased significantly between 2022 and 2024, I began to realize that performing on the trumpet was becoming physically exhausting and, at times, painful. It became clear that I needed a more efficient and sustainable approach—one that emphasized proper tools and technique while avoiding excessive mouthpiece pressure, overblowing, and playing at unnecessarily high volumes over dance band rhythm sections. Additionally, despite my many years of experience, I had not yet achieved the level of proficiency I aspired to, particularly the skills required to comfortably and consistently perform commercial lead trumpet parts in big bands and dance bands. The 1% Trumpet Program appeared to be an ideal fit for my specific goals and needs.
Several factors have contributed to making my experience exceptionally positive. The program offers an asynchronous learning environment that allows participants to progress at their own pace through a variety of modules, while also providing opportunities to schedule one-on-one sessions for individualized instruction. The coaching calls serve as an effective forum for guided practice with the instructor and fellow participants. The program clearly demonstrates what it means to practice efficiently and achieve measurable improvement in a shorter amount of time. Additionally, the instructor introduces new method books and explains multiple approaches to studying them, as well as how to integrate more traditional methods without becoming disengaged or stagnant. Participants also engage in discussions on how to evaluate and experiment with new equipment, including mouthpieces, trumpets, mutes, and CTS. Most importantly, the instructor and staff are able to closely observe my playing, identify areas in need of improvement, and provide targeted solutions to address my specific challenges as a trumpet player.
This program demonstrates a strong commitment to flexibility by effectively meeting the needs of its clients within an encouraging and supportive online community. The content presented in the modules is highly informative and is continually updated in response to client feedback, as well as the instructor’s observations regarding improvements that would benefit the group as a whole. The 1% Trumpet Program / Toot Your Own Horn has fundamentally transformed my mindset and approach to trumpet performance, and it has also had a significant impact on how I teach my own students.
-DMAS
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We help trumpet players break out of inconsistency and rebuild reliable sound, range, and endurance without grinding themselves into burnout.
Our coaching focuses on the underlying causes of why trumpet playing feels great one day and falls apart the next. Instead of chasing endless exercises, gear, or quick fixes, we teach players how tension, fear responses, and nervous-system habits quietly limit performance, and how to retrain those patterns so playing feels calm, confident, and musical again.
Our programs are designed for serious trumpet players, including comeback players and dedicated daily players, who feel stuck despite practicing regularly. Through structured training, live coaching, and clear diagnostic frameworks, we help players practice more intelligently, reduce physical strain, and make consistent progress they can actually feel.
Our coaching is not a shortcut or a quick-fix course. Progress requires consistent practice, honest self-observation, and a willingness to change long-held habits. We work best with players who are serious about long-term improvement and are open to understanding how both the body and mind influence trumpet performance.
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