Duets are a fun way to work on so many things, including sight-reading, rhythm, intonation, dynamics, and basic ensemble playing. It’s best done alongside a friend — a trumpet player or any musician, really. But with technology, we can play duets with just about any recording. In order for my students to work on this theme from J.B. Arban’s Caprice & Variations (found in the back of your Arban’s method book), I wrote a little duet part and recorded both parts. You can download the duet music here and play along with either part here. So find a friend to play along or just play with me!
For the past several years I’ve had the privilege of playing Taps in echo with a colleague as part of a Memorial Day service at a local cemetery. It’s a helpful reminder to me of what this day of remembrance is really all about. And I’m always aware of how the playing of Taps, in spite of its simplicity, is deeply meaningful to many people, especially those who have served in the military or who have loved ones who have.
Brian Reichenbach 