My name is Eduardo Blanco. I come from a small village in the north of Spain. I started my musical journey at 11 years old when I joined the marching band in my town. When I was 12 my father brought home an Lp by the great Chet Baker and ever since I was totally crazy by Jazz music.

At 16 I started my professional life as a musician touring with a band throughout the whole country during summer break. I did this for 4 years in a row while studying classical trumpet at the conservatory.

When I turned 20 I went to Boston (Massachusetts) to study Jazz trumpet and composition at the Berklee college of music. Ever since I’ve been a full time musician performing as well as teaching privately as well as in different music institutions. I like teaching to students of all ages and levels. I like to pass on my experiences and give them motivation and encouragement because at the end that is what counts, a positive attitude and tons and tons of motivation.

SOLFEGE and EAR TRAININGI’m convinced of the importance of solfege in learning an instrument like the trumpet.  I ‘borrow’ that from my classical training. The importance of being able to sing and recognize different intervals and scales is of great importance in brass players in general.

TRANSCRIPTIONSThe ability to transcribe a tune or a phrase just by ear (without a lead sheet or music score) develops your ears and is mandatory to those aspiring to be jazz musicians.

BOOKSOf course, without good technique we won’t go too far. I like using some books like, Arban’s Herbert Clarke, Slossberg etc.

HARMONY (KEYBOARD)I always recommend my pupils to be familiar with the keyboard.The piano is the best tool to learn harmony. I also teach some keyboard basics to those students interested in opening up their ears and learning more about Harmony and music theory.