LaTorreMusic.com

improving trumpet players everywhere

Announcements:

my getzen! Hello, and welcome to La Torre Music! This site exists primarily to display and sell the trumpet method books of BILL KNEVITT, who in my opinion is one of the best trumpet educators in the country. Bill hails from Michigan, where he has been a trumpet player and music educator for many years. Over the years Bill has written thirteen trumpet method books, which have been used by hundreds of students to improve their trumpet technique, range, endurance, and all around musicianship.

I first heard about Bill's books in 1996. As I studied his methods, Bill and I established a good working relationship, and I ended up editing and re-engraving all of his books. Bill recently decided to retire from his book distributorship, and he did me the great honor of letting me take over his business. Bill's books have a solid grounding in the basics of trumpet playing and overall musicianship, and in my opinion have the same sort of timeless appeal of Clarke and Arban.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I would like to announce three new items to the list of Bill's books. First, I re-discovered a classic of Bill's from 1993, "Getting Started Right on Trumpet." This is a beginner's book designed to make sure the starting trumpet player gets it going right. Second, Bill has recently composed a book of "36 Warmup Routines for the Intermediate Player." These are exercises designed for the player who may not be quite ready for the Advanced Warm Up (available for free download below). Lastly, at the special request of a baritone player, I have transposed "The Developing Trumpet Player" into bass clef, making it suitable for baritone or trombone learners. Check out all three on the Bill's Books page!

Bill Knevitt still lives and teaches in Jackson, Michigan, and is available to answer your questions or generally "talk shop." Use the contact information above to get in touch with Bill. Of course, I am also available for help.

Speaking of me, you will also find a few compositions of my own on this site. After several years of study of Bill's methods, I improved myself from an average player to a very good one, and my musical confidence increased to the point where I decided to try my hand at composition. My two main efforts are two cornet solos with band backup, written in the good old 19th century tradition of grand cornet players. You will also find a march, a brass quintet, and a ragtime piece for band. I will also be marketing the compositions of a few of my fellow musicians here in Washington State. Check back regularly, because you never know what will be added next!

One thing I like about websites is when there is plenty of free stuff available! As you will see, each one of the method books has a free PDF sample lesson available for inspection, download, and printing out if you want. There are also samples of my original compositions, including the entire solo part for both cornet solos. And speaking of free stuff, see below for a free PDF download of a 12-page Advanced Warmup Routine.

Special note: After several tries, I was not successful in getting a shopping cart tab from PayPal. So if you plan to order multiple books, you will have to order each one separately. Kind of a hassle, I know, so sorry about that. If you want to order four or more books, email me at bob_latorre@hotmail.com, and I'll tell you a quick and easy way to do multiple-book orders.

Thanks again for visiting my site! I hope to hear from you soon.

-Bob La Torre

28 Jan 2007

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Featured Product:

The Ultra-Trumpet Practice Routine

Professional trumpet players often need a short practice routine to play on "gig days" in place of a full session. Others may just need a daily refresher in condensed form that hits all of the basics of trumpet playing: wind power, articulation, range, scales, flexibility, etc. Even the beginning player can use a daily routine to boost his or her technique. Available for free download here, this Ultra-Trumpet Practice Routine will fit the needs of almost any trumpet player. Play this routine through once daily, and improvement is guaranteed!

Below are the links to the PDF files. If you like this routine, be sure to check out what else Bill Knevitt has available by clicking on "Bill's Books" above! Thanks very much.

Practice routine cover, introduction, page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8, page 9, page 10, and page 11.