Whether aspiring to be a classical, pop, orchestral or jazz artist, all trumpeters pursue the same quest during their development. They must:

1. Acquire the strength and endurance that is essential for building performance confidence;
2. Strive for the Musical Control that is essential for artistic performance.

Trumpet Quest exercises are aimed at accomplishing these objectives. The task: mastering trumpet fundamentals while using the TQ Method of Practice. When the student becomes genuinely dedicated to the task, Trumpet Quest will maximize practice time and provide the student’s most rapid rate of advancement.

Trumpet Quest unites contemporary and traditional practice materials with an approach to practice derived from modern exercise physiology. The TQ exercises are inspired by years of my own work in trumpet practice materials written during the past 150 years - J. B. Arban, Herbert L. Clarke, Earl D. Irons, Max Schlossberg, Ernest Williams, John Haynie, Alexander Petit, and many others.

Nonstop Playing and Chromatic Ascent are practice techniques derived from two basic concepts of exercise physiology. Runners strive for endurance (Nonstop Playing), and body builders strive for strength (Chromatic Ascent). They learn that with dedication to weeks and months of constant daily workouts, their efforts bring satisfaction.

Musical Control — the quest for clear sound, accurate intonation and clean articulation – is essential for artistic performance. Persons who have developed a high degree of skill in a physical activity know that there must be a mind-focus when they step up to perform. In golf, it’s “Take dead aim.” In ball sports, it’s “Keep your eye on the ball.” Your coach or teacher will drum these phrases repeatedly, hoping that you will say them over and over to yourself like a mantra. Make Musical Control your mantra. This is what you "Take dead aim" at. This is what you "Keep your eye" on.

WITH MUSICAL CONTROL AS YOUR MANTRA, YOU WILL MAKE ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE POSSIBLE.

Max Morley