My free mini-lessons are something I'm especially proud of! I'm proud to give back to the brass community, share tips I've learned from my heroes, and just get a chance to talk about music!
That's why we're here after all... And, I think it's important that you can see ACB not just as a place to get great gear but also a resource for our community. There are over 60 lessons now and I regularly add more. I cover everything from endurance to ear training, and playing fast to playing picc!
If you have any suggestions for a future topic, please reach out to me with your ideas! Many of the mini-lessons have come from community suggestions:
Free Mini-Lessons:
Mini-Lesson No. 1: Introduction to Bends on the Trumpet
Mini-Lesson No. 2: Building Your Range by Singing in All Registers
Mini-Lesson No. 3: Incorporating Bends Into Basic Slurs
Mini-Lesson No. 4: Chordal Approach Fun
Mini-Lesson No. 5: Expanding Warmups
Mini-Lesson No. 6: Improving Your Fast Lines
Mini-Lesson No. 7: A Slightly Different Approach to Piccolo Trumpet
Mini-Lesson No. 8: Basic Plunger Techniques
Mini-Lesson No. 9: To Buzz, Or Not to Buzz?
Mini-Lesson No. 10: Finding the Center Of Your Sound
Mini-Lesson No. 11: Imitate, Emulate, Innovate
Mini-Lesson No. 12: Balancing the Pressure Points In Your Chops
Mini-Lesson No. 13: Speeding Up Your Articulations
Mini-Lesson No. 14: Improving Your Upper Register By Using Mutes
Mini-Lesson No. 15: Jazz Solo Improv Practice Tips
Mini-Lesson No. 16: Expanding On Simple Ideas In Your Solos
Mini-Lesson No. 17: Using Simple Contrasts to Develop Your Solos
Mini-Lesson No. 18: Forward Pressure
Bonus Lesson: 1-Hour Live Noodles & Trumpet Chat Archive
Mini-Lesson No. 19: My Warmup
Mini-Lesson No. 20: How To Prevent Overblowing
Mini-Lesson No. 21: Practice Tips For Busy Lifestyles
Mini-Lesson No. 22: Adjusting To Different Trumpet Mouthpieces
Mini-Lesson No. 23: Simple Ear Training Exercise To Improve Your Musicianship
Mini-Lesson No. 24a: If You Can Sing It, Can You Play It?
Mini-Lesson No. 24b: How To Play Faster Solos
Mini-Lesson No. 25: Developing Strength In The Upper Register
Mini-Lesson No. 26: Why To Play "Tight" (Part 1)
Mini-Lesson No. 27: When To Use Alternate Fingerings
Mini-Lesson No. 28: Improve Your Solos With Sweet Notes
Mini-Lesson No. 29: Turnarounds & Giant Steps
Mini-Lesson No. 30: No Time To Practice?
Mini-Lesson No. 31: Pedal Tones (Part 1)
Bonus Lesson: 1-Hour Live Noodles & Trumpet Chat Archive
Mini-Lesson No. 32: Overbreathing/Underbreathing On Trumpet
Mini-Lesson No. 33: Getting the Most Out Of Limited Practice Time
Mini-Lesson No. 34: My Thoughts On Circular Breathing
Mini-Lesson No. 35: Improving Your Valve Technique
Mini-Lesson No. 36: Choosing & Adjusting To New Mouthpieces
Mini-Lesson No. 37: Softer, Lower, Slower
Mini-Lesson No. 38: Pedal Tones (Part 2)
Mini-Lesson No. 39: The Trumpet Is An Amplifier, & Why That Matters
Bonus Lesson: 40-Minute Live Warmup & Trumpet Chat Archive
Mini-Lesson No. 40: Maximizing Chordal Practice
Mini-Lesson No. 41: Maximizing Projection By Spinning the Sound
Mini-Lesson No. 42: 1-Hour Live Q&A Archive
Mini-Lesson No. 43: Basic Microphone Technique
Mini-Lesson No. 44: My Improv Practice Routine
Mini-Lesson No. 45: Improve Your Productivity With These Tips
Mini-Lesson No. 46: Short-Term Endurance Tips
Mini-Lesson No. 47: Marksmanship
Bonus Lesson: Oil Your Valves
Mini-Lesson No. 48: Tips I Learned From Clark Terry
Mini-Lesson No. 49: Getting Back Into Shape On Piccolo Trumpet, Fast
Mini-Lesson No. 50: How To Recover After a Taxing Gig
Mini-Lesson No. 51: Leadpipe Buzzing For Improved Efficiency
Mini-Lesson No. 52: The Power of AAB Structure
Mini-Lesson No. 53: Why I Play Acrylic Mouthpieces
Mini-Lesson No. 54: My Take On the Caruso Method (The Triple C Video)
Bonus Lesson: Behind The Scenes At My Home Video Studio (June 2019)
Mini-Lesson No. 55: Pacing Yourself For Greater Endurance
Mini-Lesson No. 56: Factors in Trumpet Pricing
Mini-Lesson No. 57: How To Stay Fresh During Busy Times
Mini-Lesson No. 58: How To Give Your Trumpet a Shower
Mini-Lesson No. 59: Flow Studies vs. Long Tones
Mini-Lesson No. 60: Maximizing Your Endurance
Mini-Lesson No. 61: Is It Time To Upgrade Your Gear?
Bonus Lesson: 1-Hour Live Trumpet Q&A Archive
Mini-Lesson No. 62: Bore Size is Overrated
Mini-Lesson No. 63: More Thoughts On Upgrading Your Gear
Mini-Lesson No. 64: Playing Tight (Part 2)
Mini-Lesson No. 65: Getting Started On Piccolo Trumpet
Mini-Lesson No. 66: Common Problems (Redrot & Poor Compression)
Mini-Lesson No. 67: Breaking In a New Horn
Mini-Lesson No. 68: Practice Room Chops vs. Gig Chops
Mini-Lesson No. 69: What To Look For When Buying a Used Instrument
Bonus Lesson: ITG 2021 Virtual Session Archive on Trumpet Gear & Ageing
Don't see what you need?
Email your trumpet questions to info@austincustombrass.com and they might be answered in a future mini-lesson!
Want More Personal Attention?
What Students Are Saying:
"Very satisfied with lessons tailor suited to my level, encompassing general technical ability on the instrument, jazz improvisation and theory. In the timeframe of one lesson, Trent manages to explain the issues, hear and diagnose the "patient" and not least motivate by playing himself where hearing and copying is always a trusted method, providing that the source is inspiring, which it definitely is in the case of Trent!" - Pierre
"Trent has spent virtually a lifetime in the world of trumpets, teachers, all musical forms and has risen to the top. Besides being an expert in coffee, he knows the human landscape and psychology of the trumpet mind. You will only experience a unique and personal lesson... a cool cat." -Ron