Scotty's Concept on Playing and Equipment

I believe that to play the trumpet correctly, that is to always be in a position to achieve maximum results with minimal effort, it is necessary to have a solid foundation beginning with standard classical studies found in the method books of Herbert L. Clarke, J.B. Arban, Max Schlossberg, and Theo Charlier to name a few. These studies should be done under the careful and attentive supervision of an established professional. But, after a while, these studies, in addition to the solo literature should be committed to memory and this will lead to the development of one's own personal set of exercises for warming up, etc. Once playing the trumpet is not a problem in any area, then one can begin the lifelong journey into Jazz improvisation and the learning of numerous solos by Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and up through Wynton Marsalis, just to name a few.

I own several trumpets (Bach, Conn Connstellation, Yamaha) and flugelhorns (Blessing and Holton/Leblanc) with my main trumpet and mouthpiece being custom designed and fitted by Dave Monette of The Monette Corporation of Portland, Oregon. I have played Monette trumpets exclusively since 1989 and I just cannot imagine playing anything else. My current trumpet is an PRANA AJNA in Bb and made in 2007. It is finished in 24-carat gold and has personalized valve buttons using precious stones by Monette. I use a B15 Prana mouthpiece. I also have a B15 lead mouthpiece and a B15 flugel mouthpiece.Mutes are Denis Wick, Jo Ral, Humes and Berg.

Valve Oil is Pro Oil 141-A7 by MusiChem, Inc. of San Diego, CA.
Trumpet case designed by Monette Corp.
Flugel flight case custom designed by Innerspace Cases of Los Angeles, Ca.
Piano - Wurlitzer Concert Grand