SIGN-UP: Refine Your Articulation in 3 Weeks with Chris Gekker
Description
Join Chris Gekker, virtuoso soloist and professor of trumpet at the University of Maryland School of Music, for a three-week intensive class designed to improve your articulation. Whatever style you play, get your tongue in shape with structured exercises to work on a new area of tonguing each week: flow, speed, and response. At the end of the window, Chris personally responds to all video assignment submissions!
Note: space is limited for the first 20 who sign up!
What to Expect:
- 🔗 Guided Exercises: Each week, enjoy one new video where Chris outlines a structured theory of practice, and demonstrates a simple, concrete exercise designed to amplify a specific articulation-related skillset.
- 🎶 Expert Guidance: Led by Chris Gekker, Distinguished University professor, 18-year member of the American Brass Quintet, featured soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and across the world. Dozens of his solo recordings have received international praise, and he’s featured on the 2005 Deutsche Grammophon compilation “Masters of the Trumpet.” He’s performed as principal trumpet with countless major orchestras, and he even performed a year performing with the Count Basie Big Band. Chris’s books include his Articulation Studies, 44 Duos, Endurance Drills, Slow Practice, Trumpet Talk, and more are published by Charlies Colin.
- 🤝 Community Interaction: Share your experiences, receive feedback from peers (and from Chris himself!), and engage in a supportive community of fellow music enthusiasts and aspiring performers.
Who Should Attend:
🎺 This course is tailored for a trumpeter at any level looking for some structure toward their pursuit of improving or refining the fundamentals of their articulation. No pre-requisite knowledge is required, though basic proficiency with the trumpet is highly recommended.
What is Covered:
📚 Participants will explore how articulation defines our sound, explore concepts of flow passed down directly from Herbert L. Clarke, learn how to improve speed by working on efficiency, and how intelligent applied work on articulation can improve your overall tone. At the end, you’ll be asked to submit a short optional video assignment for direct feedback from Chris Gekker.
No special equipment is needed to get started; just bring your enthusiasm, a working trumpet, some curiosity, and whatever recording tools you have—your journey to a refined articulation begins here!
Note: this class is free and the cost to participate is already included in your tonebase subscription!
Timeline
- Sign-Up Begins: Monday July 22nd
- Course Period: Monday July 29th - Friday August 16th
- Last Day for Feedback from Chris on Final Assignments: Sunday August 18th
FOLLOW THE LINK TO SIGN-UP: