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.

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

ITG Conference - Trumpet Masterclass

International Trumpet Guild Conference 2017 - Jeff Purtle Trumpet Masterclass on Claude Gordon and Herbert L. Clarke

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Hit it Hard & Wish it Well ebook

A groundbreaking multitouch ebook that delves deep into the methodologies of iconic cornet soloist Herbert L. Clarke, as well as his ten-year protegé, Claude Gordon.

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Trumpet Ensembles from Purtle Brass Conference

Trumpet Ensembles from Purtle Brass Conference conducted by Gary Malvern and Peter Voisin, son of Roger Voisin. This was the opening to the final concert with Harry Kim and a Latin Jazz Band.

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WIND POWER & THE TONGUE — Purtle Brass Conference 2010 · I

This lecture examines the foundational relationship between wind power and tongue function as taught through the Claude Gordon system and informed by Herbert L. Clarke’s technical studies.

Jeff Purtle outlines how efficient airflow and tongue placement govern clarity, response, and upper-register reliability. Rather than isolated exercises, this session presents a diagnostic framework for identifying breakdowns in tone production and articulation.
This lecture forms the opening pillar of a fo

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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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