How I Became a Cornetist — Herbert L. Clarke

How I Became a Cornetist — Herbert L. Clarke

This is the complete autobiography of Herbert L. Clarke, one of the most important figures in brass playing and trumpet pedagogy.

Clarke’s influence on Claude Gordon and the development of modern trumpet playing cannot be overstated. These writings provide direct insight into his thinking, practice philosophy, and musical development.

Use this as a structured study resource. Each chapter builds on the last and reflects principles still essential to serious trumpet playing today.

Chapter pages will be added in sequence from the original text.

Table of Contents

1. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 1: Intro
2. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 2: THE CLARKE FAMILY CHILDHOOD DREAMS THE IMPORTANCE OF THOROUGHNESS THE BAND FEVER
3. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 3: ERNEST TAKES UP THE TUBA THE CALL TO CANADA THE MUSIC GERM AT WORK
4. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 4: AMATEUR ADVANCEMENT SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS THE CORNET CONQUERS
5. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 5: BRANCHING OUT A BIT A HARD-EARNED THREE DOLLARS THE OBSESSING CORNET
6. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 6: "KNOCKING OFF" AN OPPORTUNITY THE MOMENTOUS TRY-OUT A GREAT BANDMASTER MY BEGINNING AS A BANDSMAN
7. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 7: BAND DUTY IN FULL REGIMENTALS AND BELOW ZERO I AGE RAPIDLY PRIDE SUSTAINS
8. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 8: A BIT OF BOYISH POPULARITY AN EMBOUCHURE EXPERIENCE MERCANTILE VERSUS THE MUSICAL
9. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 9: RESUMPTION OF THE STORY RETURN TO HEALTH A PAID PROFESSIONAL PERFORMER
10. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 10: I RE-ENTER SCHOOL A NEW TECHNIQUE REVEALED I TRY TO FATHOM THE SECRET
11. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 11: CHANGING THE BASIC FOUNDATION A TORCHLIGHT TEST FROM TORCHLIGHTS TO FOOTLIGHTS
12. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 12: PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND PERSISTENCE I GET TIPS FROM ROGERS ARRANGING AS AN AID TO STUDY BRASS QUARTET BECOMES CHURCH CHOIR MAKING MONEY THROUGH MUSIC
13. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 13: I PURCHASE A NEW HORN LED BY THE GREAT LIGHTS I DEVELOP BOTH STYLES
14. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 14: I SUCCUMB TO MY FATHER'S LOGIC I TAKE STOCK AN UNEXPECTED HONOR
15. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 15: WE DO NOT GO TO WAR "TRYING IT ON THE DOG" THE QUESTION OF LIVING
16. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 16: A SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE MUSIC TIDE I BEGIN SERIOUSLY TO STUDY THE VIOLA SUMMER BRINGS EXTRA WORK A NEW IDEA IS BORN
17. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 17: STRUGGLES TOWARD PERFECTION MY CAUSTIC CRITIC AGAIN I PLAY UNDER A FAMOUS MAN
18. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 18: THE CONTEST AT EVANSVILLE OVERWHELMED BY APPLAUSE ONLY SCHOOL BAND CONTESTS NOW
19. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 19: A STRIKE IS CALLED MR. BRUSH TO THE RESCUE BUSINESS POSITIONS SCARCE A WORSE BARK THAN BITE MY CAREER AS SOLOIST BEGINS
20. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 20: IGNORING FACTS AND OPPORTUNITIES A GOOD PRACTICE STUNT ODD TIME FILLED WITH ARRANGING
21. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 21: I KEEP ADDING TO MY WORK I STUDY HARMONY
22. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 22: MORE WORK THAN TIME MANY ROADS TO ROME
23. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 23: I ORGANIZE A TRIO I EXPERIENCE QUALMS
24. Clarke Autobiography — Chapter 24: MR. GILMORE SAYS, "GO ON" THE FINAL TEST I LEAVE, TREADING ON AIR
25. Clarke Autobiography — Appendix: A Synopsis of My Career