Nick Jolly

Brass playing isn’t just about notes – it’s about how you move, breathe, and think.
I work one-to-one with brass players of all ages and levels – from complete beginners to advanced players. Whether you’re picking up the instrument for the first time or looking to refine your playing lessons are tailored to build a strong, reliable sound through technique, body awareness, breath control, and mindset. The aim is simple: to help you play with confidence, consistency, and ease in any setting.
My teaching is shaped by real-world experience across session work, live performance, and musical theatre – bringing a clear, practical focus to how playing actually works beyond the practice room. Grounded in commercial trumpet playing, I combine solid fundamentals with creativity, groove, and adaptable skills for modern performance. Students achieve consistently strong exam results while developing the confidence and flexibility to go beyond them.
Influenced by the teaching of Noel Langley and Roger Ingram, and informed by Eastern practices such as yoga and breathwork, my approach connects sound, body, and focus – helping players not just sound good, but feel good when they play.
In lessons, we focus on:
– Getting a clear, confident sound from the very beginning
– Sound, breath, and body working together efficiently
– Building a reliable, centred trumpet sound step-by-step
– Confidence and consistency across all playing situations
– Commercial trumpet playing: groove, feel, and adaptability
– Strong fundamentals that support creative and expressive playing
– Exam and audition preparation where relevant
– Developing awareness and practice habits that stick