The Music of Drew Fennell

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Private Trumpet Studio
schedule, policies and other materials


Contents

General Information

Calendar

Practice Guidelines

Books for Study

Resources and Other Information


General Information

Drew Fennell has twenty-plus years experience as a teacher and clinician, and in that time has worked with hundreds of young trumpet players, both in a private setting and in group/clinical settings. His private students have achieved state and national honors at the high school level, and many have also gone on to the college and professional ranks with great success.

The preferred teaching approach goes far beyond just basic tutoring on trumpet technique and music literature, integrating elements of aural development ("ear training"), principles of musicianship and even aspects of music theory. This teaching concept encourages a more well-rounded understanding of music as a whole, and in doing so, encourages and cultivates both an appreciation for excellence and a lifetime love of music.

30-, 45- and 60-minute lessons are available, prices are reasonable and competitive and family discounts are available for sibling students.


Lesson Locations

View the Prices & Policies which includes contact information.

View a trumpet lession promotional flyer which may be distributed or posted as desired (also in black & white).

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Schedule & Calendar
This is subject to change. Generally, notice of changes will be given well in advance.
Effective September 8, 2014

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Practice Guidelines

While a teacher might like to take credit for the successes of his students (and, certainly, the teacher has something to do with that success), the greatest contributor to a student's success is his or her own work in the practice room. To that end, below is a table detailing the expectation of practice time for various levels of students. The total time shown does not have to be done in one sitting, but may be split into two (or even three) shorter sessions. A student wishing to "tread water" can probably do so at each level by working to the "low" standard. A student wishing to improve can probably do so by working to the "medium" standard. The student wishing to improve significantly should work toward the "high" standard. There is absolutely no subsitute for focused and commited practice!

Student Grade Level

Daily Practice Time

Expected Achievement Level

grade 4
to
grade 6

10 to 15 minutes
15 to 20 minutes
20 to 30 minutes or more

Low
Medium
High

grade 7
to
grade 8

20 to 30 minutes
30 to 40 minutes
40 to 50 minutes or more

Low
Medium
High

grade 9
to
grade 10

30 to 40 minutes
40 to 50 minutes
50 to 60 minutes or more

Low
Medium
High

grade 11
to
grade 12

40 to 50 minutes
50 to 60 minutes
60 to 90 minutes or more

Low
Medium
High

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Books for Study

Below are some of the books used in private study [Author, Title (Publisher)]. Each student's course of study will vary, depending on the student's range, technical proficiency, musical understanding and physical attributes (embouchure strength, tongue dexterity, etc.).

LEVEL I. Beginning and Intermediate Studies

  • Sigmund Hering Forty Progressive Etudes (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Fifty Recreational Studies (Carl Fisher)
  • Lowell Little Embouchure Builder (Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp.)
  • A.F. Robinson Elementary Method (Rubank/Hal Leonard Publishing)
  • J.E. Skornika Intermediate Method (Rubank/Hal Leonard Publishing)
LEVEL II. Intermediate and Progressive Level Studies
  • J.B. Arban Complete Conservatory Method (Carl Fisher)
  • Herbert L. Clarke Technical Studies (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Thirty-Two Etudes (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Thirty-Eight Recreational Studies (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Thirty Recreational Etudes (Carl Fisher)
  • Lowell Little Embouchure Builder (Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp.)
LEVEL III. Advanced Studies
  • J.B. Arban Complete Conservatory Method (Carl Fisher)
  • W. Gower/H. Voxman Selected Studies for Trumpet (Rubank/Hal Leonard Publishing)
  • Herbert L. Clarke Characteristic Studies (Carl Fisher)
  • Herbert L. Clarke Technical Studies (Carl Fisher)
  • Charles Colin Advanced Lip Flexibilities (Chas. Colin Music Publications)
  • Sigmund Hering Twenty-Four Advanced Etudes (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Twenty-Eight Melodious and Technical Etudes (Carl Fisher)
  • Sigmund Hering Etudes in All the Major and Minor Keys (Carl Fisher)
  • Max Schlossberg Daily Drills and Technical Studies (M. Baron Company)

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Trumpet/Music Resources

View the Resources page, with lots of information about the trumpet, trumpet players and music in general. Below are some of the things you'll find.

  • an extensive Glossary of Musical Terms (over 1,200 entries)
  • listing of MUST-KNOW musical terms
  • favorite/recommended instruments
  • favorite/recommended mouthpieces - and information on mouthpieces in general
  • favorite/recommended mutes
  • favorite/recommended musical accessories
  • favorite/recommended recordings
  • practice and performance tips
  • trumpet fingering chart
  • long tone exercise
  • links to information on favorite trumpet players, brass ensembles, music resource websites and information on music stores

View the Workshop page to get more in-depth information on many of the method and etude books utilized for instruction. This includes recordings of etudes as well as specific lessons on things like precise rhythm, articulation and phrasing based on these etudes.

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River City Brass Tickets

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of available free tickets to see the River City Brass in concert. Seeing professional musicians, in addition to being entertaining and inspiring, is another big part of a student musician's learning and musical growth. Performances of the group take place all around the Pittsburgh region, and free tickets are available to students and family for concerts presented at Carnegie Music Hall, in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh (part of the Carnegie Music/Library complex).

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River City Youth Brass Band

Students in grades 7 through 12 may want to consider auditioning for the River City Youth Brass Band. This is an honors group meeting for twelve to fifteen rehearsals per semester and presenting one or two concerts during each rehearsal cycle. The group has been in existence for twenty-plus years and has had among its ranks well over one-thousand young people - some of whom are now professional musicians. If a student is interested, he or she should contact the instructor for more information, or visit the website at the link above.

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Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Drew Fennell
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