north bay trumpet studio

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Enrollment Requirements

effective 1/1/14

Suggested General Enrollment Requirements

• Intermediate and advanced levels strongly preferred (beginners showing strong interest accepted)
• 15 years of age (minimum) strongly suggested (younger students demonstrating maturity and curiosity accepted)
• Previous private study with a private trumpet teacher preferred (first timers interested in getting a solid start accepted)
• Minimum of 4 years musical experience (in an ensemble setting) strongly recommended (some exceptions apply)
• Weekly rehearsals in a performing ensemble required (occasional exceptions for adult come-back players may be made)
• Weekly lessons required (rare exceptions for advanced adult students who have completed a minimum of 2 years private study)

Suggested Theory Prerequisites

• understanding of basic musical notation (the ability to read music)
• understanding of basic rhythmic subdivisions (16th notes and 8th note triplets)
• understanding of enharmonic equivalents and basic keyboard theory
• understanding of the order of sharps and flats (memorization is preferred)
• understanding of the circle of 4ths (memorization is preferred)
• ability to identify (major) key signatures (memorization is preferred)

Preferred Technical Fundamental Performance Prerequisites

• preferred knowledge and memorization of all fingerings in all registers (this is a prerequisite for playing any level or any style)
• preferred ability to single tongue clearly within the staff at a reasonable tempo
• preferred ability to sustain a clear, steady tone quality within the staff
• preferred ability to match instructor's pitch: vocally, on the mouthpiece alone, and on the trumpet

Jazz Study Prerequisites

• completion of preferred technical fundamental performance prerequisites to the satisfaction of the instructor
• preferred ability to play, write, and spell all 12 major scales (memorization is preferred)
• interest in and understanding of theoretical material necessary to improvise
• willingness to extend established practice commitment beyond minimum daily requirements

Suggested Practice Commitment

• Beginning level (30 min. a day-5 days a week)
• Intermediate level (45 min. a day-5-6 days a week)
• Advanced level (60 min a day-6 days a week)

Additional Necessary Prerequisites for Student Advancement and Success

• ability and willingness to follow the teacher's instructions
• ability to abandon preconceived ideas about music, trumpet, respiration, etc. in order to learn something new an unfamiliar
• ability to conduct the respiratory process (separate from the trumpet) with ease and freedom
• ability to stand or sit with ease and freedom
• ability to hold the trumpet in the playing position with ease and freedom
• ability to place the mouthpiece on the lips and form an embouchure in which the mouthpiece rests on flesh (not lip tissue) and is reasonably centered (left to right and top to bottom)

If a student does not meet any of the requirements listed above, remedial work may be required.

The teacher is available for remedial work with all levels of students in all of the areas listed.

Remedial work precedes musical development of any type in any style.