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Real talk: Should We feel Guilty for not practising?
I have felt 'practise-guilt', but after some thought and reaching out to some of you, I have some strong opinions about 'practise-guilt'.
Feb 9, 20215 min read


What is a battle playlist and why do you need one?
We are at our most powerful when we feel like ourselves, so picking songs that fit our personality and who we are can really ground us.
Jan 23, 20215 min read


Christmas Gift guide 2020
It's here! Click here to download the It's Not a Trumpet Christmas Gift Guide The first It's Not a Trumpet Christmas Gift Guide is...
Dec 10, 20201 min read


Culture Shock - Why this northerner has no sympathy for Football
I can understand the frustration and fears, Mr Berry has for local clubs as the banding world is constantly worried about lack of funding.
Nov 13, 20205 min read


The Story of the Last Post
As a cornet player who has played the Last Post and Reveille for 12 years, they are two pieces of music that mean a lot to me and the story
Nov 10, 20201 min read


Ten Banding Horrors
The disgusting sludge that is pushed from the inner catacombs of your instrument looks like something you would scrape from...
Nov 2, 20204 min read


Brass Does Broadway
There is a lot of room for interesting entertaining antics that can be injected into the performances of these pieces.
Oct 14, 20204 min read


'Piano man' Phenomenon
Writing about pianos on a brass band blog, whatever next?! I know the song 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel pretty well, but recently it's...
Oct 1, 20205 min read


The Seven Deadly Banding Sins
Brass bands harmless, but do not be fooled, they are hiding deadly sinful secrets. Dare you enter the den of musical iniquity?
Aug 23, 20204 min read


Band-Aid: What is really infecting our community?
Boris hasn't sat there throwing darts at a picture of the Black Dyke Band, whilst stroking a white cat and plotting how he is going to take
Jul 26, 20205 min read


10 Thoughts from the practise stand
There's a lot that goes through our mind during personal practise from counting beats to internally swearing at ourselves.
May 17, 20203 min read


Stage Thoughts
Two hours is a long time. Many, many thoughts can pass through your head in two hours. There have been times when I’ve been sat on stage...
Jan 12, 20205 min read


10 Banding Highlights from 2019
Silly season is finally over. The halls have been decked, the bells have been jingled and we can put Santaclaustrophobia away for another...
Jan 5, 20208 min read


The Twelve Days of Banding Christmas
It’s the most wonderful (and busy) time of the year! Hands up, who’s sick of Christmas Festival already? Yes, it’s that time of year...
Nov 29, 20195 min read


Lest We Forget- Remembrance Sunday 2019
As banders, we’re used to our calendars being filled with band jobs. Contests, carolling, concerts, marches, etc- we get a lot done in a...
Nov 22, 20195 min read


Frosty and the Big Bang
It’s beginning to look a lot like… Well, Halloween is out of the way, which means only one thing- Christmas has begun. There’s no escape...
Nov 8, 20194 min read


A Bucket List, a Breakdown and a Bet- Rochdale Contest 2019
So, I’m the numpty, who’s spent the last few weeks playing for two bands. As well, as going to my rehearsals with Eccles. once again...
Oct 25, 20195 min read


Twenty-Three Things I’ve Learned At Twenty-Three- Brass Band Edition
So I’ve recently celebrated my twenty-third birthday (one step closer to a zimmer frame and a free bus pass- wahoo!) and during my...
Oct 18, 20198 min read


Pomp and (an unfortunate Circumstance)
Uneventful? With me? Never. So, I wasn’t planning on writing about last weekend’s concerts as I thought it was going to be a...
Oct 11, 20195 min read


Rituals and Superstitions
Very superstitious, writing’s on the wall…. Fight or Flight (of Stairs) As I’m sure many of you are, I’m currently watching Sky Arts’...
Oct 4, 20195 min read
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