Teaching Adult and Comeback Trumpet Players
Rediscovering the joy of playing, one note at a time.
One of my favorite parts of teaching is working with adult and comeback trumpet players — musicians who might have taken 10, 20, or even 40 years off, and are now returning to the horn. These players bring a unique mix of curiosity, discipline, and life experience that makes teaching incredibly rewarding.
Whether you’re restarting after decades or picking up the trumpet for the first time, there’s never been a better time to get back into it.
Understanding the Adult Player
Adults learn differently than teenagers. You’re often balancing work, family, and limited practice time — but you also have stronger focus and motivation.
My teaching philosophy for adult players is built around efficiency, clarity, and enjoyment:
Efficient routines that fit your schedule (even 15 minutes can be productive).
Clear, measurable progress, so you always know what’s improving.
Musical goals that keep it fun — whether that’s community band, jazz, church gigs, or just personal satisfaction.
I also help players reframe their mindset: improvement doesn’t mean “playing like you used to.” It means playing better than you ever have, with a healthier approach and a deeper understanding of the instrument.
How Lessons Are Structured
My adult lessons combine classic fundamentals with modern structure:
Cichowicz flow studies for air and sound.
Clarke and Schlossberg routines for flexibility and coordination.
Practical range and endurance systems designed for mature players.
Weekly check-ins and guided video assignments to keep you accountable and encouraged.
Each student gets a customized approach — I build your warm-ups, exercises, and music selections around your specific goals and time availability.
Online or In-Person
Lessons are available both in person (Geneva and surrounding areas) and online via Zoom for players across the country. Many of my adult students are based in Illinois, but I also work with comeback players in the UK, Australia, and all over the U.S.
Zoom lessons include screen-shared PDFs, demo videos, and practice guidance between sessions — everything you’d expect from a college-level studio, right from your home.
Trumpet Mastery Course — A Year of Lessons in One Program
If you’re not ready for weekly lessons, my Trumpet Mastery Course is a great starting point.
It’s a 16-lesson program that covers warm-ups, range development, and efficiency fundamentals — essentially a full year of lessons for the cost of a few private sessions.
Every purchase includes:
Lifetime access to all videos and PDFs
A free 1-on-1 coaching session with me
Guidance tailored to comeback and adult players
Explore the Trumpet Mastery Course here.
Final Thoughts
Coming back to the trumpet is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take. You don’t have to rebuild overnight — the key is consistency, great fundamentals, and a patient, structured approach.
If you’re ready to get started, send me a message — I’d love to help you rediscover your sound.
About the Author:
Ryan Hobbs is a professional trumpet player and educator based in Chicago. He performs with orchestras, jazz ensembles, and commercial groups throughout the Midwest, teaches at Illinois Wesleyan University, and offers private coaching and online courses for adult and comeback players worldwide.