About TLM
Trumpet and the Language of Music
The Path to Excellence
“I have devised ideas, over the years of how to use the trumpet as a musical performing vehicle. The more traditional sources such as Arban, Clarke, Schlossberg, St. Jacome and Charlier to name a few have guided me. What would we do without these pioneers of teaching and performing? They have led us all along the path of excellence.”
~Ralph Schwartz
Words of Inspiration
“On this path, we encounter an obstacle I like to think of as ‘THE WALL’ Our limitations are made known to us by ‘THE WALL’. It pens us in on all sides of our conception of music trumpeting. Tonal beauty, range, speed, tonguing, slurring – all of these facets of playing are subject to our mental limitations – NOT PHYSICAL!! The ‘WALL’ cannot be removed, but thankfully, it can be MOVED. We must aggressively push against ‘THE WALL’ every time we play. Our musical progress is a result of moving this ‘WALL’. The practical application of this principle is a never ending reason to keep playing. Never give up! No matter how good you are, you can always get better. Good luck!” ~Ralph Schwartz
A Chorus of Thanks to Dr. Brent Nolte
An enormous thank you goes to Dr. Brent Nolte, a former student of Ralph’s, who is now the Lead Music Faculty at Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio. Over the past several years, Brent has been in contact with Ralph’s family about promoting Trumpet and the Language of Music. He is always on the lookout to find an opportunity to demonstrate this method to his students and to other trumpet players. This method would not be in the process of being published if Brent had tucked it away on a bookshelf. He has been relentless in finding a path for his former teachers’ knowledge to be shared. What a great way to give back to someone who gave so much to you, Brent. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! M, K and P.
