Beethoven's 8th Symphony

[barryj1]

I am playing first trumpet on Beethoven's 8th symphony and their is a lot of work in the upper register, especially toward the end of the music. The problem has more to do with the amount of playing (i.e. the 4th movement goes on for ever). How do other players handle the issue of endurance in a piece like this.

Thanks,

Barry
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[Don Herman rev2]

Disclaimer: Amateur player.

1. Practice (endurance exercises).
2. Breathe. Often. Mark breath marks and use them.
3. Watch the dynamics -- bring it down whenever possible.
4. Play gently, minimize tension (not just pressure on the chops, all tension).
5. Trade or lay out a phrase here and there, perhaps to your second/third or an associate principal.
6. A shallower mpc might help. I do that now and then, even in the orchestra, depending upon brain and horn to keep the sound I want out front.
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"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[wvtrumpet]

If it's 8 that I am thinking of, last time I played it, I used a picc. I was trying to do it on C and remember it was major work. I spoke with some orchestral buddies and they all mentioned that Bud did it on picc. Good enough for Bud, good enough for this guy
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[barryj1]

Thanks for the prompt feedback. I just came back from a rehearsal last night. Everything went reasonably well. I found that the best approach was to play with a relaxed mindset and not to overblow the intense passages.
I also took a number of the more demanding sections down an octave (i.e. pick your battles) in order to get through to the end of the symphony without damaging my lips.
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[jengstrom]

[ListeningFromTheBackRow]

I'm a career second trumpet player, and in situations like this one (end of Beethoven 7 or 8 ), how you are locking in the your 2nd can make or break the piece for the 1st trumpet!

Decide what type of sound you're going for, rather than thinking about how loud you'll need to play. If you have a strong 2nd player that can lay down a great foundation for you, you'll probably be able to play a bit less forcefully than you might imagine. Even in the really loud bits! Just ride on top of those octaves and let the brilliance in your sound carry you over the orchestra.

The 2nd player has a TON of control over how easily you'll project out into the hall. If you can, try to get into the hall real early and get some ears out into the audience to listen while you both experiment with different volume levels and brilliance/darkness of sound. Once you really figure out exactly how the 2nd trumpet can make your life easier, well, your life will get a LOT easier!

[tptplayer]

+1 ListeningFromTheBackRow. Projection is perception, not always volume

[wvtrumpet]