I'm an an enthusiast trumpeter, composer, arranger and multi-instrument tutor (low brass though trumpets, guitars), keenly studying the jazz idiom.
I'm involved in several forms of luthiery; custom mouthpieces, guitars, basses and snare drums, as well as guitar repairs.
Articles by Michael Barkley
By Michael Barkley
Derek Watkins has an international reputation as one of the best all-round trumpet players. He has played for Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath and Frank Sinatra and the James Last Orchestra. He [...]
Posted in News, People
By Michael Barkley
The kind folks at Bremner Music have allowed me the chance to test one of their trumpet Sshhmutes – 2 S’s, 2 h’s and the word mute… reminding myself to spell it correctly! However you [...]
Posted in Other, Reviews, Videos
By Michael Barkley
Firstly; a big ‘thank-you’ to Irwin at the Humes and Berg company for giving me the chance to test 3 practice mutes. They are indeed very fine, and are all individual and offer advantages to [...]
Posted in Other, Reviews, Videos
By Michael Barkley
We are saddened to hear of another loss to the brass community; it has been a year of losses, however, their character, lessons, performances and recordings will stay with us. Nigel, 3rd trumpet for the [...]
Posted in News, People
By Michael Barkley
By Michael Barkley Bruce is a really special player and person – a gentle giant. I was lucky enough to hang with him at his house, and get the recording that I am going to [...]
Posted in Other, People, Resources, Videos
By Michael Barkley
Ryan Kisor is currently playing lead trumpet for the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra (famously alongside the likes of Wynton Marsalis), but he is also a superb bop player. Have a [...]
Posted in Performances, Videos
By Michael Barkley
Firey post-bop trumpet innovator, Freddie Hubbard has recorded with the all time great players, notably on Herbie Hancock’s famous ‘Maiden Voyage’ album… Also recording with Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Art Blakey and with his own [...]
Posted in Performances, Videos
By Michael Barkley
Recording legend, Malcolm McNab discusses his opinions of efficiency in playing and in the instrument. If you have not yet bought or listened to, his album Exquisite is a towering display of musicality and [...]
Posted in People, Playing tips, Trumpet
By Michael Barkley
This post is to deal with the commonly found symbols found in jazz; it is not exhaustive by any means. The term to refer to a system of symbols etc… is “nomenclature”. no·men·cla·ture [noh-muhn-kley-cher, -choor] –noun 1. [...]
Posted in Resources
By Michael Barkley
Dear brass friends (and jazz musicians), One thing we must do to progress and improve our hearing and musical ability is to transcribe. Admittedly it is a bit of a daunting task, but little by [...]
Posted in Resources
