Library

A structured collection of articles, Claude Gordon recordings, and study materials organized within a systematic approach to trumpet pedagogy.

The Library brings together the Clarke-Gordon tradition in one place—allowing serious players to study concepts, trace ideas, and connect recordings, written material, and practical application.

Browse the Complete Library

Filter by category or search by title to explore the complete public collection.

Carl Lenthe playing Jiggs Whigham's Suite For Trombone (USA Premiere)

#trumpet #trombone #trumpetlessons #trumpetlife
Carl Lenthe playing Jiggs Whigham's Suite For Trombone at the 2011 Purtle Brass Conference in Anderson, South Carolina.

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WIND CONTROL, FINGERS & LEFT HAND — Purtle Brass Conference 2010 · II

This session explores the often-overlooked coordination between wind control, finger function, and left-hand stability. Jeff Purtle demonstrates how inefficiencies in these areas directly affect consistency, endurance, and accuracy.

Drawing from Claude Gordon’s pedagogical principles, this lecture reframes technique as a unified system rather than isolated mechanics.

This lecture is part of the Purtle Brass Conference 2010 immersion series.

Herbert L. Clarke taught Claude Gordon ten years a

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How to Build a Music Career in the US Marines

Gunnery Sergeant Deborah Hamner gives a presentation on music careers in the United States Marines and is assisted by trumpet player, Staff Sergeant Alan Phillips. This was one of the presentations from the Purtle Brass Conference.

00:00:00 Gunnery Sergeant Deborah Hamner
00:16:11 Staff Sergeant Alan Phillips

#trumpet #musiccareer #trumpetlife

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This channel focuses on advanced trumpet pedagogy, diagnostic teaching, and integrated practice systems for serious tr

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FACIAL MUSCLES & LIP FUNCTION — Purtle Brass Conference 2010 · III

This lecture addresses facial musculature and lip function within a healthy, efficient trumpet embouchure. Emphasis is placed on minimizing excess tension while maintaining structural integrity and responsiveness.

Jeff Purtle contextualizes these concepts through historical method literature while applying them to modern performance demands.

This session continues the systematic progression presented at the Purtle Brass Conference 2010.

How the teachings of Herbert L. Clarke fixed Claude Gord

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The First Woman Principal Trumpet Shares Her Complete Strategy

#trumpet #trumpetlessons #trumpetlife
"Preparation for an Orchestra Career" - Susan Slaughter studied with Claude Gordon for a number of years after winning Principal Trumpet in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. She mentions some of Claude's teaching in this lecture and addresses her experience as the first female trumpet player in the world to hold down principal trumpet in a major orchestra.

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This channel focuses on advanced trumpet pedagogy, diagnostic teaching

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PRACTICE ROUTINES & SYSTEM BUILDING — Purtle Brass Conference 2010 · IV

The final lecture in this series focuses on constructing effective practice routines that integrate all previously discussed elements: wind, articulation, coordination, and embouchure function.

Rather than prescribing generic routines, Jeff Purtle demonstrates how to build personalized systems that support long-term development and professional reliability.

This lecture concludes the four-part Purtle Brass Conference 2010 study series.

How the teachings of Herbert L. Clarke fixed Claude Gordo

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Joe Marcinkiewicz on Mouthpiece and Trumpet Construction

Joe Marcinkiewicz on mouthpiece and trumpet construction and his start in the business with relationships with Herb Alpert and others. He also explains his first work with Claude Gordon and how the duplicates of the CG Personal Trumpet Mouthpiece and Claude Gordon Trumpets came to be.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:43 Herb Alpert
00:04:36 New Technology
00:05:14 Burt Herrick
00:06:05 Making Trumpets
00:06:50 Claude Gordon
00:10:47 Computer Technology
00:11:37 Video of Mouthpiece Construction
00:17

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WIND POWER & THE TONGUE — Purtle Brass Conference 2011 · I

This lecture revisits the foundational relationship between wind power and tongue function, expanding upon the diagnostic principles presented in earlier conference sessions.

Jeff Purtle clarifies how airflow efficiency and tongue coordination influence response, clarity, and upper-register reliability. Emphasis is placed on identifying systemic causes rather than isolated technical symptoms.

This lecture opens the three-part Purtle Brass Conference 2011 series and focuses on refining core trumpet function through the Claude Gordon tradition.

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Purtle.com Brass Camp - July 16-17, 2010

#trumpet #trumpetlessons #trumpetlife
Purtle.com Brass Camp
July 16-17, 2010
Anderson University (South Carolina) & Online

Register Now: http://www.purtle.com/brass-camp-event.html

Jeff Purtle - Host - Applying Claude Gordon's Teaching

Featured Artists:
Susan Slaughter (Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Principal Trumpet since 1969)
Harry Kim (Founder of The Vine Street Horns, Lead Trumpet on American Idol, Phil Collins)

Guest Lectures:
Joe Marcinkiewicz (Claude Gordon Trumpet

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RANGE & WIND CONTROL— Purtle Brass Conference 2011 · II

This session examines range development through controlled, efficient wind use rather than force or compensation. Jeff Purtle demonstrates how range limitations are often the result of mismanaged airflow rather than embouchure strength alone.

Drawing from Claude Gordon’s pedagogical principles, this lecture reframes range as a byproduct of system balance and coordination.

This lecture is part of the Purtle Brass Conference 2011 study series.

00:00:00 Intro, Range Studies, and Sergio Frade
0

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Purtle.com Brass Camp 2010 Summary

#trumpet #trumpetlessons #trumpetlife
The first annual Purtle.com Brass Camp took place July 16-17, 2010 at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina with participants coming from around the world and watching online from all regions of the globe. Jeff Purtle presented the teachings of Claude Gordon. The two featured artists were Harry Kim, founder of the Vine Street Horns, and Susan Slaughter, Principal Trumpet with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for 37 years. Other guest speakers in

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FINGERS, LEFT HAND & ALTERNATE FINGERINGS— Purtle Brass Conference 2011 · III

This lecture addresses the coordination of fingers, left-hand stability, and intelligent use of alternate fingerings within a unified technical system.

Jeff Purtle illustrates how inefficiencies in these areas can disrupt airflow, timing, and consistency, even in advanced players. The focus remains on functional integration rather than mechanical isolation.

This lecture concludes the three-part Purtle Brass Conference 2011 series.

00:00:00 Intro about Clarke's Technical Studies
00:02:30 4. Fi

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