Introduction
Dave’s teaching reflects the well rounded performer that he is. Be it jazz, big band, theatre, symphonic, studio recording or musical shows, he is one of the most highly respected “crossover” trumpet players in the world and enjoys passing on this knowledge to students of all ages. Dave retired in 2002 as adjunct professor of trumpet and Director of Georgetown University’s Georgetown Jazz but maintains a large studio in Northern Virginia. Many of Dave’s former students have continued on in music as professional trumpet players and music educators. His unique blend of knowledge, experience, humor and friendliness, along with his ability to convey the necessary information, make Dave Detwiler an exceptional teacher presenting a unique learning situation to his pupils.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE: CHANTILLY, VIENNA, CENTREVILLE, VA
Private Trumpet Instructor……………………… 1975-present
Taught private students between the ages of 10 and 60 for more than 25 hours a week. During this time I have also written one studies/jazz etudes book, a special book dealing with trumpet players with braces and a book of arranged Christmas books for trumpet players.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE: LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY
Classroom Teaching – Lecture and Clinician – Trumpet/Jazz/Music Theory…..1973-present
As a clinician with The U.S. Army Band, guest soloist and clinician as a representative of Georgetown University, and a Clinician/Artist with the Conn-Selmer Company, Dave has lectured and been a guest soloist at hundreds of high schools,
colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. He has taught music theory, advanced placement music theory, concert and jazz bands for four years at Centreville high School and one year at Westfield High School as a teacher in the Fairfax County school System in Northern Virginia. He also has instructed the James Madison High School jazz ensemble and worked with the Westfield, T. Jefferson and Oakton High School jazz bands. He taught as an associate professor on the staff at Georgetown University for 14 years where his duties were to teach jazz and direct the jazz ensemble, as well as teach private trumpet instruction and was awarded the prestigious “Superior Teacher” award by Georgetown University’s Arts Department
Achievements- Over 50 years
- As of 2021, hundreds of former students are presently playing professionally, including 7 members of The Washington D.C. special bands, to include The U.S. Army Band, U.S. Marine Band, U.S. Air Force Band and the U.S Navy Band.
- Hundreds of former students, annually earn music scholarships ranging between 8K and 65K per year.
- Hundreds of Dave’s students have been selected to the Virginia All State Bands and Orchestras and many students have made the All State VA Jazz Ensemble over the past 40 plus years.
- 2010 – 2025 – 14, 1st chair all state
- 2010 – 2025 10, 1st chair all state jazz
Lesson Policy
ALL LESSONS will last approximately 30 minutes. However, I do reserve the right to lengthen or shorten lessons according to preparation, or material to be covered. Please let me know if a student must leave on time, since I often keep them past the half hour.
THE CHARGE PER half hour LESSON is $45.00. You may pay me at the beginning of the month for the lessons or pay me each week. Any lesson payment that is more than two weeks late, will be assessed at $50.00 per half hour lesson.
TO CANCEL any lesson, you must call me at 703-869-8588 or email me at det3355@aol.com. Cancellations must be before 8:00 P.M. on the Friday prior to the following week’s Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday lessons or you will be charged for that lesson.
SUMMER SCHEDULING. I teach throughout the summer. If you are going to miss one week, I will keep you in the same time slot. If you plan on being gone for more than one week, please let me know when you plan to return and you must contact me for a new time.
NO MATTER WHAT THE SCHOOL, HOLIDAY OR INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHEDULE happens to be for any given day, I will conduct regularly scheduled lessons. If I cancel, or change the lesson time, it will be clearly marked in the student’s notebook the week before, or you will be notified by telephone or email. I will also follow Fairfax County Public School’s inclement weather closings. If FCPS are closed for weather related situations, I will not conduct lessons for that day.
CONTACT INFORMATION- Please be sure I have CONTACT INFORMATION (I.E. PHONE/EMAIL) to contact you. If you have any questions, or simply want to discuss your students’ progress, please call at any time, or feel free to sit in at a lesson.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT: Cash or Check (made payable to Dave Detwiler)
Venmo – @Jill-Detwiler-2
Zelle – using email or phone number – JILLDETWILER@HOTMAIL.COM 703-470-7717
The above policy is given to each new student when we begin trumpet lessons. I have many good reasons for this policy. The most significant of these being that my rate of cancellations was reduced once implemented, thereby assuring that students attended more lessons which improved their playing! When I do receive a cancellation, it gives me the opportunity to teach one of several students who study with me on a stand-by basis. Thank you for your patronage and I look forward to many years of making great music with you!!
VIENNA STUDIO ADDRESS
226 Maple Avenue West
Suite 304- Prelude Music
Vienna, VA 22182
CARE OF YOUR CHOPS SOME HELPFUL HINTS
Be sure that you warm up before every playing session! *When playing, remember that no one should try to “Win the battle” by herself (himself). Use caution and thought as to how much pressure you use when playing and take rests. Do not try to play too high, or too loud…I.e… know what your limits are and build yourself up.
****KEEP YOUR CHOPS CLEAN****
Try to wash your chops with soap and water on breaks and when you finish a session. At lease rinse off when you can. I’ve found that keeping a clean towel, and cleaning my mouthpiece and chops with Wintergreen Isopropyl Alcohol after every session keeps infections away and makes tired chops feel invigorated. 16OZ. Bottles are sold at CVS. The alcohol can dry out chops, so liquid Vitamin E, or Vaseline Lip Therapy, applied after you are done playing can help keep them supple.
****IF YOU GET SORE/OR TO PREVENT SORENESS****
Ice your chops! Yes, if you put crushed ice (or cubes) in a washcloth (not too thick), and hold it on chops for 18 to 20 minutes when you get home, or before bed, it will help prevent or keep soreness away. What works even better is to dip your ice cloth into a bowl of solution of Domeburoughs granules and water…dip about every 3 minutes while icing your chops. Domeburoughs is also available at CVS. CAUTION! Do not ice for more than 20 minutes! Do not play after icing for at least 2 hours! Allow your chips to warm up on their own.
****IF YOU GET A CUT****
Internal – Rinse your mouth out regularly with a light, saltwater solution. If you get swelling and it is bad, lay off for a day and ice chops on the outside.
External– If infected, scrub with soap or alcohol, then put an antibiotic cream on it…obviously, see your doctor if you have any concerns about the affected area. If you just have a cut, keep it clean and once or twice a day, put some liquid vitamin E on the cut…this helps scabs go away faster also, If you need help and this hasn’t answered your questions, come see me. Other great lip care products are Aquaphor-non prescription, Cortibalm (need to order this) and Desonide ointment-prescription needed.
CALL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS I AM HERE TO HELP!
I have been advised on all the above by medical doctors.
Dave Detwiler's Trumpet Studio 