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Trumpeter

Gerry López

 The Pro’s Code:

Real Talk for the Modern Trumpet Player

Vibe Over Volume: Energy isn't about decibels; it's about intensity. Master the volume, and you’ll have power to burn.

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  Fix the Glitch: Bad habits are easy to catch and a nightmare to kill. Don’t spend years unlearning a week’s worth of laziness.
  
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• The Big Three: Hydrate before, during, and after. Easy on the salt. Be nice.
  
  
• Hurry Up & Wait: Professionalism is being ready to play at 8:00 and being okay with not starting until 9:30.
  
  
  • Look the Part: Wear the right threads. A Tux is a Tux—black jeans and a "sort-of-black" jacket from Temu is a ​tragedy. Ditch the baseball cap.
    
  • Lead Means Lead: If you claim the chair, play the whole book—not just the "look-at-me" high notes.
    
    
  • Respect the Room: Don't contribute to the rehearsal noise. Get in, kill the part, get out. Hang out on your own time.
    
    
  • Balance the Scales: Practice your opposites. If you're a screamer, practice sub-tones. Practice what you can't play until you can.
    
    
  • Collaborate, Don't Compete: You don’t need to be a god at everything. Use your colleagues, adjust the parts, and make the music win.
    
    
  • Curate Your Ears: Listen to music that moves the needle. Don't be the guy who only listens to his own recordings.
    
    
  • Game Day Rituals: No shaving, no deep-cleaning the horn, and no "new" warm-ups on performance day. If the warmup feels off, don't panic-switch mouthpieces. Trust your gear.
    
    
  • Own Your Sound: Stop blaming the equipment. Embrace your tone, develop your voice, and stop thinking a new gadget is the answer.
    
    
  • Get Digital: It’s 2026. Learn to self-record. No excuses—grab a DAW, watch a tutorial, and lay it down.
    
    
  • The Golden Rule: Rest as much as you play. Practice in small, high-intensity bursts to keep the chops fresh.
    
    
  • Check the Ego: Nervous because a "heavy hitter" is in the room? Get over it. They aren't there to see you.
    
    
  • Find a Sensei: Call them a "mentor" if "teacher" sounds too high-school. Listen to them. They’ve been there.
    
  • Don't try to out-do them; you’ll lose.
    
    
  • Treat it Like a Business: Discuss rates upfront. Get a passport. Get proper shoes.
    
    
  • The "No" Factor: It’s better to say no than to take a trash gig. Low money is never worth the high stress.
    
    
  • Patience is a Virtue: Singers often don't have the "music-speak" to ask for what they need in a mix. Help them out.
    
    
  • The Sound Guy Paradox: He’ll spend 30 minutes on the kick drum and 30 seconds on the entire horn section. Deal with it.
    
    
  • Elevate the Chart: You’re going to play bad charts. Your job is to make them sound like a masterpiece.
    
    
  • The Stage is Sacred: Don’t point out bandmates' mistakes on stage. Don't make a sub feel small—they’re doing you a favor.
    
    
  • Be a Ghost: If people are gossiping to you, they are gossiping about you. Stay out of the drama.
    
    
  • The Human Element: When sharing a room, don't be a slob. Keep the bathroom clean—nobody wants to see your "leftovers" in the sink.
    
    
  • Greenroom Etiquette: Don't Bogart the space with your stories. Smell nice. Show up early.
    
    
  • Professional Distance: Most "work friends" aren't friends. Be careful what you leak; don't let someone use your info to cock-block your next move.
    
    
  • The Truth Hurts: Loyalty is rare. The grass isn't always greener. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
    
    
  • Follow the North Star: Follow the Lead Trumpet. They set the tone. Period.
    
    
  • Final Polish: Stop tuning and start playing in tune
    
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  • Don't use vibrato like ketchup. And remember: the end of the phrase is just as important as the start.
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