Erik Veldkamp’s Register Studies Big Book is a substantial expansion and extension of the original Chop Building Big Book, designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in trumpet playing: achieving the same quality of sound, response, and control in every register of the instrument. Rather than focusing on pushing range higher or lower, this volume develops the ability to play across the full compass of the trumpet with consistency, balance, and ease. It is built on the central idea that the horn behaves differently in each register, and that true technical security comes from learning how to adapt without allowing the sound to change character. Following the core philosophy of the Chop Building series, this book treats register work as a musical and physical skill rather than a test of endurance. The material is carefully organized to move progressively through low register, combined low and middle register, middle and high register, and upper register work, allowing players to strengthen each area while actively connecting them. Starters prepare the embouchure and air for the demands of each register, while the studies themselves reinforce stable tone, reliable slotting, and smooth transitions without forcing or strain. The emphasis throughout is on maintaining the compact, focused efficiency of the middle register even as the music moves outward. As with the other volumes in the series, this book balances structured studies with musical logic, encouraging players to listen, shape, and phrase rather than simply execute notes. When register training is approached this way, common problems such as weak low notes, tight high notes, noticeable breaks, and early fatigue begin to resolve naturally. The final range studies extend the register concepts into a broader context, reinforcing the idea that the entire range of the trumpet can feel unified rather than segmented. Used alongside The Chop Building Big Book or as a dedicated register-focused track within the same system, the Register Studies Big Book helps players develop an even sound across the horn, smoother register transitions, improved accuracy, and greater endurance. The result is a trumpet that responds predictably at every pitch, and chops that remain flexible, centered, and dependable in real musical situations. Listen to Erik perform from the book below, and click the cover to read the full forward and sample pages include. When you are ready click above for an immediate digital download. Listen to “Low & Mid Range 2b” https://qpress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Low-Mid-Range-2b.mp3 Listen to “Low Range 3b” https://qpress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Low-Range-3b.mp3 Listen to “Mid & High Range Study 1b” https://qpress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Mid-High-Range-Study-1b.mp3
