Robert Waldron, Claude Gordon Certified Trumpet Teacher

About Robert

His Teachers

Claude Gordon and Charles Brady. Gordon was 1st trumpet for CBS television in Hollywood. Brady was soloist for the National Symphony Orchestra.

Robert studied with Claude Gordon for 6 years and Brady for 4.

Robert’s Playing Career

Berlin

Early on, Robert was a soloist for the Berlin Brigade Band, the Premier Traveling Military Band in Europe before the fall of the Berlin wall. While in the city, Robert was often called to play for large musical productions and to do recording jobs for national television and radio.

Monterey/San Francisco

Later, back in California, Robert played with the popular “Firehouse” jazz orchestra, doing gigs in Monterey and San Francisco. Notably, Robert played a regular Wednesday evening gig at the Mission Ranch, a jazz club owned by actor, and jazz aficionado, Clint Eastwood.

Arizona

Many years later, Robert moved to Arizona where he played classical trumpet with the Sierra Vista Symphony for over a decade.

Claude Gordon Certification

A few years before he passed on, Claude Gordon offered an additional year-long class to hand down the techniques that he had learned from his teacher, Herbert L. Clarke as well as his own. Robert earned a certificate to teach trumpet, from Claude Gordon, in 1991.

Teaching Career

Robert has taught hundreds of trumpet players in California and Arizona. Now, on the internet, Robert has had students in the countries of South Korea, France, Germany and many states like Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Texas and Florida.

Now it’s your turn!

Every week, Robert continues to pass the Gordon/Clarke legacy down to a new generation of trumpeters who want to learn how to practice right and play great!

With Robert You will learn how to...

Get a big, beautiful sound.

Be very accurate. (Become known for never missing notes)!

Develop great endurance. (Never get tired).

Have playable range up to Double C.

How to tongue clear, fast and clean.

How to play the absolute hardest Solos, Songs and Pieces for
the Trumpet.

Use the right equipment for your preferred style of music.

Classical, Jazz Improv, Commercial, Scream Lead or Mariachi.

How to build Wind Power/Control

How to coordinate Wind, Tongue Level and Lips (Facial Muscles).

How to build/use compression.

How to correct a bad embouchure (without losing your
ability to play in the process)!

What to Practice and How to Practice to getter better!

How long will it take?

2 years. Journeyman Player

3-5 years. Capable Professional

5-7 years. Master of the Instrument

What books will we use? See below…

If you practice what, how and when I tell you to practice, I guarantee that you will improve dramatically.

If you don’t listen, are lazy, over-play or constantly switch mouthpieces you will only get worse.

If you are SERIOUS, do the lessons and practice EVERYDAY.

-Robert

What Books Do Robert's Students use?

Here are a few examples of books that you will practice thoroughly/correctly when taking lessons:

100 Progressive Trumpet Lessons, by David Hickman

Irons Lip Flexibility

Arban’s Method

Clarkes Technical Studies

St. Jacome’s Method

Daily Routines, Claude Gordon

Alexandre Petit Etudes et Exercices pour le Cornet (and many of the other French books).

Ernest S. Williams Method

Mitchell on Trumpet, by Pappy Mitchell Vol 1-4

Charlier

Max Schlossberg

The Modern Jazz Trumpet Method by Eric Bolvin

Colin Lip Flexibility, Charles Colin

Walter Smith Lip Flexibilities

Flex on the Move by Eric Bolvin

Claude Gordon Physical Approach

Clarkes Characteristic Studies

Sigmund Hering Books

Bebop Range Book by Eric Bolvin

Claude Gordon Systematic Approach

Tongue Level, by Claude Gordon

Vassily Brandt Etudes for trumpet

Tongue Level and Air by Eric Bolvin

Velocity Studies Claude Gordon

Pedro Lozano Flexibilities/Interval Training

Many others…

Who Are You?

High School

Learn how to play right from the start. Develop well and be ready when college/gigging comes. Contact me and get started now.

College

Overwhelmed with difficult music that you can’t play? Running out of gas? Don’t have Range? Missing notes? Contact me…I can help you.

Semi-Pro

Are you a good player, but can’t make a living playing the trumpet? Contact me…GOOD players get a gig once in a while. GREAT players ALWAYS have a job.

Professional

Playing or touring with a professional band/orchestra, but need advice and practice routines to keep from getting overwhelmed by the demands? Contact me. I can help you to stay in shape and even improve from where you are now.

Virtuoso

Enjoy yourself. You don’t need my help.

Comeback Player

Your a little older now and want to enjoy trumpet again. Contact me, let’s have some fun!