Don has taught many of Canada’s top players. We’re all glad to see those old hand-written sheets beautifully printed and organized. Comprehensive Routine is a terrific resource for brass concepts, exercises and advice on establishing proper practice techniques. It’s an essential guide!
Alastair Kay, Humber College
Don had a big German Shepherd named Johann Sebastian Bach. If he growled at you it meant that you didn’t have very good ears. I recall seeing a couple of fellows run in terror from Johann. My lessons with Don were the most important years of my development as a trumpet player. He has the ability to diagnose and treat trumpet issues in a matter of minutes. Comprehensive Routine is the embodiment of his teaching methods. I use it on a regular basis both as a practice and a teaching tool. Thank you, Don!
Brian O'Kane
There are three books that all Trumpet players should have: Arban’s, Clarke’s Technical Studies and Don Johnson’s Comprehensive Studies. Teaching at Humber I use about 40 to 50% of the material in the Arban’s and Clarke’s books, but I use Don’s book from cover to cover. Thanks Don for all the inspiration!
Dave Dunlop
I had the pleasure of sitting in a trumpet section with Don Johnson and Erich Traugott for many years. Eventually we were joined by Arnie Chycoski. Was I ever fortunate! I love those guys.
Guido Basso
“So you think you’ve got big ears?” It was late, and I was the last one in a practice module. Donnie lead me around the halls and into a classroom, banging on everything from cymbals to door knobs to music stands…. challenging me to see who had better perfect pitch.
Phil Gray
Comprehensive Routine has helped me focus my sound, increase my range/stamina, and fix my tonguing. The condensed 45-minute routine got me from trumpet zero to trumpet hero (sort of). Vincent Spilchuk
Unlike many method books, Comprehensive Routine explains why and how to play a specific exercise. I recommend this great book to all my students. Neil Christoffersen
I was amazed at how precisely Don could describe the sound and articulation that he wanted. I was intimidated by him, and worked very hard to please him in my lessons. I still include many of those exercises in my daily routine. Don Johnson totally changed the way I approach the trumpet. Blair Yarranton
Don had code terms to describe a player’s ability/status:
A ‘Goat’ is a talented player who screws around too much.
A ‘Hobbiest’ is someone with mediocre talent.
An ‘Observer’ has no talent whatsoever. Tony Carlucci
Don’s lessons were fantastic. Every Saturday morning at 10 AM for about a year and a half, on Church Street south of Dundas. You could always tell if the Beverly Hills Motor Hotel job the night before had gone a bit long and late. Don kept an open box of peas beside the student chair. Each student was given a large plastic straw for blowing the peas out the window, striving to hit the building across the way. One day I noticed the peas were gone-the resident cat had used them for a litter box! John Loach
Don Johnson has a unique abilitie to diagnose difficulties, and to motivate and educate his students. This text will allow you to study his approach. Use it. Believe in it. It works! Paul Read, University of Toronto
I cannot say enough good things about Don Johnson. He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. While nothing can replace personal instruction, Don’s book encapsulates his teachings beautifully. It is a must-have for all brass players, novice or expert. Alan Ralston
Don has taught many of Canada’s top players. We’re all glad to see those old hand-written sheets beautifully printed and organized. Comprehensive Routine is a terrific resource for brass concepts, exercises and advice on establishing proper practice techniques. It’s an essential guide!
Don had a big German Shepherd named Johann Sebastian Bach. If he growled at you it meant that you didn’t have very good ears. I recall seeing a couple of fellows run in terror from Johann. My lessons with Don were the most important years of my development as a trumpet player. He has the ability to diagnose and treat trumpet issues in a matter of minutes. Comprehensive Routine is the embodiment of his teaching methods. I use it on a regular basis both as a practice and a teaching tool. Thank you, Don!
There are three books that all Trumpet players should have: Arban’s, Clarke’s Technical Studies and Don Johnson’s Comprehensive Studies. Teaching at Humber I use about 40 to 50% of the material in the Arban’s and Clarke’s books, but I use Don’s book from cover to cover. Thanks Don for all the inspiration!
I had the pleasure of sitting in a trumpet section with Don Johnson and Erich Traugott for many years. Eventually we were joined by Arnie Chycoski. Was I ever fortunate! I love those guys.
“So you think you’ve got big ears?” It was late, and I was the last one in a practice module. Donnie lead me around the halls and into a classroom, banging on everything from cymbals to door knobs to music stands…. challenging me to see who had better perfect pitch.
Comprehensive Routine has helped me focus my sound, increase my range/stamina, and fix my tonguing. The condensed 45-minute routine got me from trumpet zero to trumpet hero (sort of).
Vincent Spilchuk
Unlike many method books, Comprehensive Routine explains why and how to play a specific exercise. I recommend this great book to all my students.
Neil Christoffersen
I was amazed at how precisely Don could describe the sound and articulation that he wanted. I was intimidated by him, and worked very hard to please him in my lessons. I still include many of those exercises in my daily routine. Don Johnson totally changed the way I approach the trumpet.
Blair Yarranton
Don had code terms to describe a player’s ability/status:
A ‘Goat’ is a talented player who screws around too much.
A ‘Hobbiest’ is someone with mediocre talent.
An ‘Observer’ has no talent whatsoever.
Tony Carlucci
Don’s lessons were fantastic. Every Saturday morning at 10 AM for about a year and a half, on Church Street south of Dundas. You could always tell if the Beverly Hills Motor Hotel job the night before had gone a bit long and late. Don kept an open box of peas beside the student chair. Each student was given a large plastic straw for blowing the peas out the window, striving to hit the building across the way. One day I noticed the peas were gone-the resident cat had used them for a litter box!
John Loach
Don Johnson has a unique abilitie to diagnose difficulties, and to motivate and educate his students. This text will allow you to study his approach. Use it. Believe in it. It works!
Paul Read, University of Toronto
I cannot say enough good things about Don Johnson. He is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. While nothing can replace personal instruction, Don’s book encapsulates his teachings beautifully. It is a must-have for all brass players, novice or expert.
Alan Ralston