Site Update - 2026
This site first went online in 2003. Back then, it was hard to find information on the internet about ear training, jazz improvisation, and trumpet technique. I wasn't an expert on any of those topics, but when I learned about something that seemed useful to others, I'd share it on this site.
Years later, as YouTube and today's social media sites came online, my voice become less and less important. For example, why would anyone want to read my thoughts about jazz improvisation when they could watch a professional masterclass on YouTube? As a result, I lost interest in writing new posts, knowing that other people were creating newer and better content.
With over twenty years of old posts, and so few new posts, this site felt increasingly stale and irrelevant. I even stopped telling people about this site, because I didn't want them to read any of my old "blog" articles. Do people even say "blog" anymore?
Anyway, after several years of wondering what I should do about this site's old posts, I finally decided to go ahead and delete them.
This site's focus is now almost entirely on my ear training tools. I'm still very proud of my online ear trainer. I think it's the best tool of its kind and, to my knowledge, it's the only ear trainer that lets you create your own exercises. My simple song randomizer isn't anything special, but it gets to enjoy the spotlight as well.
As for Play by Ear, my 2010 iPhone ear training app (the first ear training app with pitch detection!)... the end is near. For it to function well, I need to be more diligent about maintenance, but I can't really justify the time. Especially when my online ear trainer is more powerful and easier to update. The current version or Play by Ear barely works as it is, so it probably won't be missed.
In addition to the ear training tools, I will likely continue to share newer information that I think is relevant, like my jazz improvisation lessons with Garry Dial. But there probably won't be too many of those posts. I've also decided to keep some of my jazz improvisation recordings.
I've go to say... it feels liberating to start (mostly) from scratch.
Hello there!
I must say I'm a bit heartbroken to read that you deleted your prior posts! I found your site about ten years ago, and it was a huge help in my development as a trumpet player and in improvisation. I listened to every one of the recommended-jazz-recordings in the proposed order, and ever since I've kept coming back to the site to follow that specific order, because it gives me a feeling I can't quite explain.
I returned with the same intention today and found the posts gone. Thank God I found the site's old version on the Wayback Machine while writing this, so I can still listen to my beloved albums in the beloved order you proposed.
Cheers to a new beginning for the site, and thank you, from a fellow trumpeter who's been using your website, listening to the albums you proposed, and following your advice at least once a year for the last ten years. And by the same token, blessings to you, the unknown person who wrote such words and, I kid you not, helped me so much at the beginning of my process. Cheers, and a big hug from Chile!
Thank you for the nice message, Ignacio. I'm glad to hear that you were able to find an archived version of the recordings page. That was definitely one of those posts from a different era of the internet... when I created that list in 2005, Rhapsody was my favorite music streaming service, and public playlists didn't exist yet!
Rick! Say what you will about your old blog posts but I liked them. Sometimes it's better to hear from those in the trenches than the ones commanding the battlefield. I think those that struggle and overcome challenges have a better understanding of them than those that can do things naturally. My beloved old teacher, Rich Matteson, could never give me much advice on playing by ear because that's how he played from the moment he picked up his horn and he had a hard time understanding not being able to just do it.
Also, even though YouTube and other resources have changed things over the years, your site STILL has the very best ear-training tool available! I've recommended it to countless students in lessons and workshops over the last decade (or more) and I still use it every time I practice. You've helped me and many, many others so much with your generous offering. I hope you are happy and proud of what you have given the jazz community.
Sorry to see all of your blogs go but I understand the desire to clean house and start a bit fresh. I owe you many, many beers if we ever meet.
Thank you for the feedback Joe, and for sharing the ear training tools. I do have plans for a new post regarding my recent experiences taking trumpet lessons. That one will definitely have an "in the trenches" perspective!
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