The Trumpeter Broke His Arm — So He Played Left-Handed

by Drew Holmes

I was sitting on the floor of the hall outside the band room at East Bridgewater High School finishing my dinner and preparing for that evening’s marching band rehearsal. Peter, one of the players in my section approached me. His right arm was in a sling.

“Bad news,” he said, “I got mad in gym class and punched a wall. My arm is broken and won’t be healed until close to Thanksgiving.”

This was the worst news possible. There were only four of us in the trumpet section and as section leader I needed everyone on the field and playing their part. Our band was small even by NESBA Division I standards, with barely more than 30 playing members. Music had been programmed, parts assigned, and drill written with the expectation that Peter would be able to participate. Losing him would not only jeopardize the section but the whole band.

Had it been his left arm the solution would have been obvious. Trumpets are made with a pinky hook on the right-hand side to accommodate one-handed playing, a nod to the days when the lead cornet player would also conduct the band.

But his right arm, the arm needed to play the instrument, was in the sling. How could he continue with the season? Suddenly I had a crazy idea.

“Peter!” I said, “How do you feel about playing left-handed?”

He was intrigued so I got to work. I found my old trumpet with the adjustable 3rd slide ring and attached it to the bell of his horn with color guard tape. This functioned like the right-hand pinky hook and allowed him to support the weight of the instrument with just his left arm while still manipulating the valves with his left hand.

Horn players, of course, play lefthanded every day. Lefthanded trumpeting is virtually unheard of, usually relegated to novelty performances with a trumpet in each hand played simultaneously. Peter would have to teach himself to play with the opposite hand, his own Ginger Rogers-esque moment of dancing backwards and in high heels.

Despite the steep learning curve, his desire to be on the field and a part of the show was greater than his trepidation at essentially relearning how to play the instrument. Peter was up to speed in no time, and he marched the rest of the season — rehearsals, football games, and competitions — all while playing left-handed.

Having a leadership title does not make someone a leader. A leader sets the tone and demonstrates excellence through their actions. Looking back on what Peter overcame to participate in that show, I have nothing but admiration and respect. He saw the larger picture and the necessity of his contribution to the success of the ensemble.

Rather than fixate on what he could not do he overcame the obstacle and leveraged what he could with incredible results. I am today as I was then inspired by his example and proud to have had the privilege of marching with him.