Best Gear for Online Music Lessons (and PPE recommendations for Brass Players)

Here are a few pieces of gear you might want to consider getting in preparation for in-person rehearsals, lessons and/or concerts. Keep in mind, I am not a MD, nor do I play one on the internet, but these items purportedly limit aerosol projection while playing trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, horn and tuba:

Safety Gear (*in-person lessons only)

• WindSorb* -- collects drips from the spit valve from your horn so it doesn't drip verses letting it drop on the carpet. Get it on Amazon or Hickey's

• Zipper Mask* (or equivalent) that can be kept on and opened while playing--I am still in search of a good one, so do share if you know of one!

• Bell mask* I will be sporting this one with the IC Logo. They are pretty sweet! 

For online learning (lessons, recording, etc.), an external microphone, headphones and a wired connection (ethernet cord) will improve your experience immensely. The benefit of a wired connection can’t be overstated—a simple (and inexpensive!) ethernet cable* connecting your computer to your router makes a bigger difference than an external mic and headphones combined.

*Do note that computers without an ethernet port, an ethernet adapter is needed #WORTHIT

Mac/PC - USB Microphones (no interface needed!)

• Samson Go - $40

• Blue Snowflake USB Mic - $40

• Rode NT-USB Mini USB Condenser Microphone - $99

• Neat Bumblebee - $90

• Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone -  $100 (also works with android and iOS!)

• Samson Meteor Mic Desktop USB Studio Condenser Microphone - $70 (also works with iOS!)

Digital Recorders (you may already have one) - these can be used as an USB mic for Mac/PC as well as stand alone recording device--great to have one of these!

• TASCAM DR-05X Stereo Handheld Recorder - $90

• TASCAM DR-07X Stereo Handheld Recorder - $120

• Zoom H1n Handy Recorder - $120

• Zoom H2n Handy Recorder - $170

iPhone and iPad microphones

• Zoom iQ7 Stereo Mid-Side Microphone https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Mid-Side-Microphone-iOS-Devices/dp/B00S9WNULM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=iq7&qid=1596728943&sr=8-2

• Shure MV88 Portable iOS Microphone https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV88-Digital-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B010W6W8OW/ref=psdc_11974651_t1_B00S9WNULM 

I also recommend getting a tripod to hold your phone for making video recordings:

• tripod with selfie light ring

• tripod only

Equipment, Books and Sheet Music

This email includes links to buy everything from 3 different stores to make your life easier when shopping around. I tend to shop at Amazon, SheetMusic Plus and Hickey's. Each vendor has it’s advantages, and if price matters to you, its’ worth noting that the cheapest price isn’t always found at the same store. Hickey’s, as you know, is local to Ithaca, has nearly everything in stock, can deliver to IC for free and has excellent service. Amazon delivers quickly and for free if you have Prime for most products. As a student, you can get Amazon Prime free for 6 months and 1/2 price after that (until you graduate). Non-students can get Amazon Prime here, and using this link helps support this site. SheetMusicPlus has an enormous selection and great prices. In the end, how you shop is your choice, and the links will only help you research the best prices and get everything you need quickly and easily.

REQUIRED SHEET MUSIC/BOOKS:

* Arban - Complete Method (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

* Clarke - Technical Studies (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

* Clarke - Characteristic Studies (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

* Charlier - 36 Etudes Trancendantes (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon (out of stock) | Hickey’s)

* Brandt - 34 Etudes (Nagel) (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon (not available for Prime shipping) | Hickey’s)

* Schlossberg - Daily Drills and Technical Studies for Trumpet (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

* Concone - Lyrical Studies (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon (not available for Prime shipping) | Hickey’s)

* Bai Lin - Lip Flexibilities (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

* Gekker - Articulation Studies (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon (not available for Prime shipping) | Hickey’s)

* Irons - 27 Groups of Exercises (SheetMusicPlus | Amazon | Hickey’s)

REQUIRED GEAR: 

* TE Tuner App (iOS | Android) 

* Professional Bb trumpet (Ex: Bach Stradivarius 37 Yamaha Chicago, or equivalent). Must have adjustable 1st and 3rd valve slides.

* 3rd valve slide extra long stop (required for performance majors only) (Hickey's)

* Valve oil (Hetman #2 or Monster), tuning slide grease (Hetman #10) and slide lubricant (Hetman #7) and cleaning supply kit: snake, mouthpiece and valve brush (Amazon | Hickey's)

* Metal straight mute: Denis Wick (Amazon | Hickey's), Tom Crown (Amazon | Hickey's) or Jo-Ral (Amazon | Hickey's)

* Cup mute: Denis Wick Adjustable (Amazon | Hickey's) or Humes & Berg "Stonelined" (Amazon | Hickey's)

* Harmon mute - wow-wow (good) (Amazon | Hickey’s) or Jo-Ral Harmon (best) (Amazon)

NOTE: Additional etude books and solos will likely be required on an individual basis. While a lot of music is available for free (in our library or on IMSLP.org), please budget and expect to purchase more music over the course of your time at IC. This is music you will use for the rest of your life.

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IC Trumpet Studio on Social Media        

Please join the following pages to keep up to date with what is going on:

Facebook group: Ithaca College Trumpet Studios

Facebook Page: Ithaca College Trumpet Studio

Instagram: ictrumpetstudio

How to set up your computer for optimal online trumpet lessons:

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A LAPTOP/DESKTOP COMPUTER--please download Discord on your ios/android mobile device (ipad/iphone, etc). Discord has an option in Settings -- Voice & Video -- Automatic Gain control. Turn that off, as well as echo cancellation and noise suppression. This will help immensely, as zoom on ios/android doesn't have this option. Also, consider purchasing this mic, compatible with Mac/iOS/Windows/Android. 

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO RUN ZOOM FROM A LAPTOP/DESKTOP--this method is preferred. No need to download Discord. 

If you have any questions or need help with anything, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.

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