Wind Band preperation

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Hi. Just wondering what are everyone's thoughts on what to practice for playing 1st trumpet in a wind band? I'm a music college graduate and play at quite a high level.
Any further ideas to practice would be much appreciated.
Cheers guys.

dstdenis · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:48 am Post subject:

The usual stuff: long tones, whisper tones, soft sound production, finger flexibilities, lip flexibilities, articulation, including multiple tonguing. It's useful to be able to add subtle vibrato with good control on some solos.

One thing that I've found especially helpful for wind band: arpeggio drills up and down the range. So many pieces in the repertoire require you to play across the range, from middle register to upper register and back down again in one phrase with great agility. Arpeggio drills are great for this. Arban intervals and chord drills are good. The Franquin Method has about 30 pages of arpeggio drills--when you factor in all the marked transpositions, it's a huge resource.
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Craig Swartz · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:49 am Post subject:

I used to say "put the smart phone away during rehearsals" but even that seems to be acceptable now, even in orchestras...

AJCarter · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:54 am Post subject:

I'll second the soft playing prep.

Also, know ALL the trumpet parts happening, as well as other principal player's parts. Good to be aware of what's going in around you.
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BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Thanks dstdenis. Yes I agree the arban intervals and chords are really good and use them regularly. Indeed, I found they give me strength and a good clarity in my articulation!
Also, yes very useful to use a bit of vibrato for the lighter styles!
To Craig Swartz: it's amazing how many trumpet players answer their phones in the middle of a rehearsal these days!
Looking forward to reading other peoples comments and ideas, but in the meantime thanks guys

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Just to add: yes soft prep and playing is important for wind band. However, in contrast, isn't short bursts of loud power playing required? For instance, those orchestral type fanfares sections!
What do you guys think?

dstdenis · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Wind Band preperation

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Yes I agree dstdenis, awareness and sensitivity is important within the ensemble.
Also, with regard to the power playing, I think its more about the quality of the sound!
Indeed, loud playing is overrated IMHO.
The franquin method sounds interesting you mentioned earlier!
Cheers

tpter1 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1194

BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

To Glen Roberts: Yes I must admit I use the arban quite a bit, as I was always taught that way. Indeed, I also like to extend on what arban wrote. For example, I'm very keen on the lip trill exercises and I take them further into the upper register - a bit like doing Caruso I suppose. IMHO I still think the arban is a great book and has all you need! In fact, the standards are always essential for me. Furthermore, there are some great modern books which are a great addition as well.
Thanks for your post.

Dayton · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:15 pm Post subject:

Lots of good comments already. To them I would add that you should be very confident about rhythm/timing. Books like Bower's "Rhythms Complete" (as written and up an octave), Gates' "Odd Meter Studies" and Stevens' "Changing Meter Studies" can help with that if needed.

Another thing I will add is the importance of endurance. The first trumpet parts for some marches can be a tough blow -- the horn doesn't leave your face for several minutes, and you might have Bbs and Cs scattered throughout the piece. Sousa's "Century of Progress March" is an example. I find that Caruso's "Musical Calisthenics" are a big help. Goldman's "Practical Studies" also has some nice exercises to help with endurance, particularly if you transpose them up.

Good luck, and have fun!

roynj · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Oct 2002 Posts: 2065

I second the suggestion on Caruso. Great for building up the chops while also developing a resonant tone that will project with less effort.

Another wind band tip is to play dynamics such that you can hear the parts around you. This aids in clean section wide entrances and cut offs.

zaferis · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:55 am Post subject:

I don't think your prep - or as most replies are getting your "daily routine" should change = you should be practicing all of those elements anyway, ie. soft playing, loud playing, range, rhythmic accuracy, tone developement, articulation, etc... as you say "you play at quite a high level" - what got you there? Keep your tools sharp and work on your weaknesses...

Your prep for this "wind band" should be warmed-up and be ready to play.. You should find out what gear you need - Bb, C trumpet, mutes..??
Are you sitting in the priciple chair or are you playing a 1st part within a section? That's a big difference - will you be setting the standard or following the standard of someone else in the priciple 1st trumpet chair?
Then as you discover what music is being played, you will learn what you need to address.

If you are in the principle chair be consistent, be in congruence with the conductor-develope or understand the nuances of style that is already developed or desired, be rhythmically solid, be in tune, etc..
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BBB1976 · Veteran Member Joined: 30 May 2016 Posts: 134

Thanks zaferis
I will try and answer your question re: what got you there?
Well, I was very fortunate to study the trumpet at a top music conservatoire some years ago here in London. There I had some very fine teachers over the 4 year degree course. I try and think back to those years and practice what those teachers said to me even now! Indeed, I feel is important to really listen to a good teacher and practice! I think you can discover a lot when you really listen to teachers and put the work in! This self discovery process is different for everyone, so would rather not post a "daily routine", as everyone's routine is different! I try and maximize my time and work on things that I am not good at to make progress and things that are good for me.
Time to go and practice............
Happy blowing everyone
Cheers

Hugh Anderson · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 398

Quasi legato lyric line.

trumpetchops · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 2644

I don't practice to play whatever gig or band. I work on maintaining what I can do and fixing things that have gone south. My biggest trouble or change I've seen over the years, the print is small. Hindsley transcriptions are almost impossible. I have to enlarge the part. Maybe I'm just old?
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oldenick · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:48 am Post subject:

Phil Collins has an etude book called Trumpet One. The etudes cover different styles you are likely to run into in a pops orchestra. Covers the whole range of the horn many difficult keys, a good all around book.

Hickeys has it:

http://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku090176.php

Nick
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