PODCAST · music
Let's Talk Trumpet
by James D. Newcomb
Let’s Talk Trumpet is a podcast where trumpeters, most of the time with way too much time on their hands, get together and talk about…trumpet. Hosted by trumpeter and perennial podcast creator James Newcomb, this show features conversations with players from across the trumpet world.And the physical world. It features performers, teachers, freelancers, students, and the occasional awkward character who probably doesn't deserve to be on the show but we love them anyway.This is not a masterclass on how to improve your range and endurance, nor is it a lecture on the latest pedagogical techniques.Those all have their place. This podcast is not that place. Think of this show as the chat with a colleague after a rehearsal, getting ready backstage before a concert, or over coffee at a conference. Stories from the road, gear, gigs, influences, memorable performances, and the many different ways the trumpet finds its way into people’s lives.And in the process changes our own.If you enj
Episodes
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High Notes...Who Needs 'Em?
High notes are exciting, impressive, and sometimes the thing young trumpet players chase more than anything else. But are they really the point? In this episode, James Newcomb welcomes Dave Norman back to talk about the trumpet’s upper register, not as a circus trick, but as one part of a larger...
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One Horn. Four Keys.
In this episode, we explore what happens when musicians stop accepting the limitations of their tools and begin asking better questions. Segment one tells the story of a cabinetmaker who creates a specialized tool because the work itself demands it. Then David Hickman explains the development of…
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The Case Against "Diversification".
Most musicians are taught to keep their options open. Be versatile, be adaptable, be ready for anything. But what if that approach keeps you from ever becoming truly indispensable? This episode explores the power of specialization through a story of a cartographer who chooses to map what others...
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Straighten the Can, Lead the Store
A single moment of recognition can change the direction of a life. In this episode, we explore how identity is often shaped not by ability alone, but by whether someone takes the time to truly see us. Through a story of a young grocery store worker who rises beyond low expectations, we examine…
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Teach a Kid to Blow a Horn, He’ll Never Blow a Safe
A single teacher can change the direction of a life. This episode centers on a powerful story of mentorship, where a small-town band director saw more than just a student—he saw potential. What began as a kid joining band for the wrong reasons became something much deeper: discipline, identity…
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Put Your Money Where Your Chops Are with Dave Norman
Dave Norman didn’t follow the typical path. After years of frustration with inconsistency, rigid pedagogy, and the realities of freelance life, he stepped away from the trumpet entirely. What brought him back wasn’t a gig or a paycheck, but a decision to invest in himself—on his own terms. In…
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Why Pros Talk About People, Not Practice.
Why do top trumpet players talk less about routines and more about people? This episode explores how being in the right rooms, hearing great playing up close, and sitting next to the right musicians can reset your internal standard in ways no system or warmup can. It's about sharpening what you...
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Correctness vs. Character.
Trumpet pedagogy and audition culture have increasingly standardized measurable fundamentals (intonation, rhythm, articulation, even tone) to the point of producing interchangeable-sounding players, rewarding safety and predictability over risk and individuality. Manny Laureano laments that...
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The Sound of Sameness
Today we explore one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of trumpet playing: musical identity. What makes one player's sound instantly recognizable while another, equally accurate player blends into the background? We examine how the homogenization of orchestral playing in the…
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You Can Play It Safe, Or You Can Be Remembered.
You can rarely do both. What happens the moment you become aware of what’s possible? In this episode, we explore the thin line between playing it safe and truly going for it. What begins as a reflection on risk in trumpet playing expands into a deeper look at leadership, mindset, and the role of...
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Repetition + Memorization = Confidence
Confidence on the trumpet isn’t something you hope for—it’s something you build. In this episode, we explore how repetition and memorization create true, reliable confidence in performance. Rather than relying on how you feel in the moment, disciplined practice removes uncertainty and frees you…
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The Real Reason We Miss Notes
Why do we miss notes—even when we know we can play them? In this episode, we explore the deeper cause behind inconsistency on the trumpet. It’s not always technique or endurance, but something more subtle: commitment in the moment. Through a personal story and insights from Manny Laureano, we...
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Hierarchy of Sound and Career.
What actually builds a career in trumpet playing? In this episode, we move beyond practice routines and into the realities of professional longevity. Segment one introduces the concept of a “career hierarchy,” where competence is only the beginning, and trust is the true currency. Segment two...
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First Love.
Trumpet is often more than an instrument—it’s where many players first encounter something meaningful, something personal. In this episode, we explore the idea of the trumpet as a “first love,” and what happens when that relationship evolves over time. What begins as curiosity and discovery can...
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Be Aware of the Air
This episode begins with a simple but profound idea drawn from Breathe, You Are Alive! by Thich Nhat Hanh: awareness of the breath. From there, we explore how this same awareness forms the true foundation of trumpet playing—something often ignored in pursuit of technique and range. A featured...
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Practice Makes Better.
Most trumpet players are waiting for a breakthrough—but real progress doesn’t happen in leaps. It happens in small, incremental changes that compound over time. In this episode, we explore what it actually means to improve, how competition can distort your relationship with the instrument, and…
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Play Music. Use the Trumpet.
What happens when you stop chasing gear, range, and perfection—and start focusing on music? This episode connects three powerful ideas: Arnold Jacobs on musical intention over mechanics, Nathaniel Mayfield on rediscovering joy through detachment, and Bunny Berigan as the embodiment of pure…
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The Best Trumpet to Play Is the Trumpet You're Playing
A simple question about beginner gear reveals a deeper issue: too many players look to equipment for answers that only consistency and sound development can provide. In this episode, we reframe the role of gear, hear from Nathaniel Mayfield, and spotlight the lyrical genius of Bix Beiderbecke....
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Micah Wilkinson: Audition Advice From a Seasoned Pro
Mastering the art of auditions is a complex endeavor that transcends mere talent; it necessitates the cultivation of proficiency and consistency within one's craft. In this discussion, we engage with Micah Wilkinson, the principal trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony, who elucidates the intricacies...
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Brian Neal of Dallas Brass
Watch on YouTube In this episode, James Newcomb is joined by Brian Neal, longtime trumpeter with the Dallas Brass and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Together, they explore what lies beyond technical mastery in music—why virtuosity alone is not enough…
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Chris Gekker
In this episode, Chris Gekker emphasizes the importance of mastering the ability to play softly on the trumpet, which is often overlooked. We also discuss how the perception that jazz negatively impacts classical musicianship has changed over time, reflecting evolving attitudes in music…
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Interview Archive: Bernard Adelstein
In this archived interview, recorded in 2016, James Newcomb speaks with Bernard Adelstein, former principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra, for a wide-ranging conversation on musicianship, discipline, and life inside one of the world’s most exacting orchestras. Mr. Adelstein reflects on his...
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Nikolay Iliev’s Mission to Support Bulgaria’s Young Musicians
In this episode, host James interviews Nikolay Ilyev, a trumpet player and entrepreneur from Vidin, Bulgaria, who operates Iliev Brass Music. Nikolay shares his musical journey beginning in the sixth grade, his advanced studies in Switzerland with Jean Francois Michel, and his time in the UK. He...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Let’s Talk Trumpet is a podcast where trumpeters, most of the time with way too much time on their hands, get together and talk about…trumpet. Hosted by trumpeter and perennial podcast creator James Newcomb, this show features conversations with players from across the trumpet world.And the physical world. It features performers, teachers, freelancers, students, and the occasional awkward character who probably doesn't deserve to be on the show but we love them anyway.This is not a masterclass on how to improve your range and endurance, nor is it a lecture on the latest pedagogical techniques.Those all have their place. This podcast is not that place. Think of this show as the chat with a colleague after a rehearsal, getting ready backstage before a concert, or over coffee at a conference. Stories from the road, gear, gigs, influences, memorable performances, and the many different ways the trumpet finds its way into people’s lives.And in the process changes our own.If you enj
HOSTED BY
James D. Newcomb
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Let's Talk Trumpet have?
Let's Talk Trumpet currently has 23 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Let's Talk Trumpet about?
Let’s Talk Trumpet is a podcast where trumpeters, most of the time with way too much time on their hands, get together and talk about…trumpet. Hosted by trumpeter and perennial podcast creator James Newcomb, this show features conversations with players from across the trumpet world.And the...
How often does Let's Talk Trumpet release new episodes?
Let's Talk Trumpet is no longer actively publishing new episodes, but the existing catalog remains available.
Where can I listen to Let's Talk Trumpet?
You can listen to Let's Talk Trumpet on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening.
Who hosts Let's Talk Trumpet?
Let's Talk Trumpet is created and hosted by James D. Newcomb.
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