[Schilkeman]

Yes, I played trumpet for twenty years, and have a degree in music education. Advanced music theory sort of demands being fluent in score reading, and the trumpet, being a transposing instrument, requires aptitude in transposing at sight. None of which addresses the peculiarities of jazz improv, which requires fluency in all twenty-four keys, 7 modes, and every variation of scale imaginable, at all times. Let’s just say I did my best lol.

They also make everyone take piano in music school, so I had three years of that, little of which has stuck with me. I also studied composition while my school schedule allowed for it, and while I was in no danger of becoming a professional composer, I did get some working understanding of counterpoint and orchestration.

I now work as a lightweight film editor, which should give you some indication of my talent. My gift, such as it is, is in interpretation and analysis, not performance (and definitely not education), but I realized that too late, and couldn’t afford to pursue it anyway.