I'm requesting opinions on this performance.

Sooner

I'm looking for any constructive comments about a recent performance of mine. I don't have the luxury of having a private teacher on trumpet at this time, and I would like to hear people's views on style, phrasing, tone, etc...

http://students.ou.edu/G/Martin.T.Gardner-1/Clowns.mp3

and before anyone mentions it, yes I know the high G was a little out of tune.

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N.Y. Bach 31 bell S-bore (.440) 50XX, Bob Reeves 41sv-692s, Bach MV 1.5C/warburton 9 BB for legit.

Proffessional poker dealer/player (helps support my music habit) and trumpet player of the Octopi.

Now a synth junkie as well

cjdjazztpt

swingintrpt · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:15 am Post subject:

You need to work on hearing the sound you want before you produce it. Once you're physically able to get those notes out of your horn, alot of the rest of your work is just mental. I would suggest that maybe you start doing a little mpc buzzing at the beginning of your day, just so that you can understand what I mean by "hearing" your sound before you play it. And find a teacher. I think you're at a very crucial point in your playing, where you might be ready to make a huge breakthrough, but you need some guidance. Overall, good recording for being on your own playing-wise. Let us know what developes.
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Rectangleboy · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:36 am Post subject:

You should work on getting a fuller sound. Jazz typically should have more of a brighter sound than normal concert music, but a steady, nice tone and centered pitch will make it sound much better. If you decide to tongue, tongue consistently and make a clear identification of the note - make sure the audience knows that you want to attack the note. Don't let it crack, waver in pitch, have bad tone, etc. What you could do to help that is sit down and go through the notes on your horn and figure out how each one sounds individually. Also work on getting a clear attack, and strive for that every time. Most of what you do on your horn is mental.

As these guys have said before me, get the sounds of each note into your head. Before you play, buzz a scale or some arpeggios into your mouthpiece. Long tones are also great for endurance and hlding a steady pitch. If you are able to get together with a private teacher, make sure he, or she, is a master of your instrument.

Good luck, you sound great.
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Comno6 · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:05 pm Post subject:

I want to say, that is a really nice sounding band you have there. The main thing that I seem to notice is that during your solo, the notes just did/t want to come out very clean. I wonder maybe if that isn't a little beyond what your comfortable playing is. During the part where it goes up to the Dbl G and then back down real quickly, it didn't come out at all.

I will say though, that you guys have a great sound, and that was a job well done.

Chris
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thatleadguy · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 293

You had a very musical performance of the peice there, nice work. It's a hard solo, I know! I used to study with John Harner, the man it was written for. He didn't record the Bb either, so don't feel so bad about that! I think you could be a little more agressive with your horn, it sounded like you were trying to be a little TOO pretty. I've performed that piece a dozen times...never did it quite like Harner, but I don't think that many can.

I don't remember what state you are from, but I did see that you go to an OU. Is that Ohio University? If you are interested I could hook you up with John Harner for lessons - if you're interested.

Let me know, and good luck,
Matt Anklan

thatleadguy · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 293

Ok, no...you live in Ok...I can hook you up with another fabulous lead player who is at OU getting his doctorate. Mark Wilcox is his name...Let me know!

Sooner · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:37 pm Post subject:

Yeah it is the arrangement from Kenton '76.

I did take lessons over the summer from the jazz prof at OU so I haven't been entirely on my own. Part of the problem with the performance was that I still suffer from stage fright and even though I have managed to get it under control it tends to surface during stessfull parts like the solo. I have the pleasure of playing in the Sooner Showmen with Mark (the OU basketball band) and he has also subbed on a concert that I was playing on as well. I have to agree that he is a fabulous player and a great guy as well.

I hope to be able to take lessons this upcoming semester, but it all depends on if the GA's have a slot open for me. I'm finally done with all the applied composition that I need to take for my degree so I hope to have more time to practice trumpet this year. If only parts would edit themselves... sigh, but that's the life of a composer. I probably Spend about 10 hours editing for every 2-3 hours of composing that I do. If I could spend that time practicing I'm sure that I would be able to see a drastic improvement.

Any good word to Mark would be appreciated as I would love a chance to take from him, but I would guess that he is rather busy with all the lessons he already teaches.
_________________
N.Y. Bach 31 bell S-bore (.440) 50XX, Bob Reeves 41sv-692s, Bach MV 1.5C/warburton 9 BB for legit.

Proffessional poker dealer/player (helps support my music habit) and trumpet player of the Octopi.

Now a synth junkie as well

Comno6 · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:00 pm Post subject:

Man I have to say that is a cool song. I think I have listened to it like 3 times by now lol. I would like to hear the original

Chris
_________________
I would like to make a profound statement:

If you Practice..... You can get better...

YES I KNOW.. Profound!!

FlugelFlyer · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:46 pm Post subject:

I have no comments about your playing that haven't been mentioned already. I think you're beyond a great start and are only going to get better from there. However, I did notice the band had that signature academic sound, almost too sterile to listen too. Everyone's trying to get every idiosynchracy down perfect instead of just playing the notes and the music and having fun. Didn't sound bad at all though other than that. The trumpet solo was great. Sounded like you might have had road[kill] chops during the solo, something we all as humans must go through at one time or another and are never immune too. Overall, impressive!
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archer49d · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

Just one thing I wanted to say that hasn't been said already, that is that I hope your using the Conn 38b and not the Small bore Bach (NY Bachs are great don't get me wrong) for playing lead, if your using the Bach I think that a horn with that small a bore might be giving you a hard time in the upper register, just my experience though, I know guys who can drill the high register on Holton Peashooters.

Arranger-Transcriber · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:07 pm Post subject: Clowns

To answer the question about the arranger, it's by Dave Barduhn. I have this version of the chart as published by Creative World Music in the 70's.

cjdjazztpt · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject:

trumpetchops · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 2645

I have played that solo and I know how I felt before and during. Very tight. I could never hit the high b flat like you did.

I think that you sounded great. I am curious how old you are.
If I were doing this again I would not think about the solo leading up to it and just relax and let it happen. You have the muscle to do it.

Bill Scott · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 9:05 am Post subject:

That's a tough piece and for not having an instructor you really nailed it well.

The only comment I have is that the band was burying you at points. I would almost bet that you were using the Bach. If you're playing with a big band, switch to the Connie. The Conn has a sound that can cut right through a band. Also, remember that cutting through or playing over the top of a band is not about blowing harder for more volume---although that's part of it. You have to work on projection and a teacher will be invaluable there.

Listen to the tonight show band with Doc Severinsen or any other albums with Doc and a big band. There's a Christmas album where you hear the band take off and play for several measures. You're wondering---o.k., where's Doc? Then, up out of the middle of the band drifts this effortless, ethereal sounding horn and you know you've finally heard Doc. That's the type of playing you need......
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Sooner · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:07 am Post subject:

I was using the connie on that performance, but the hall that we play in was made with the Orchestra in mind. The sound of the trumpets (or anyone at the back of the stage) tend to get swallowed up by the hall.
_________________
N.Y. Bach 31 bell S-bore (.440) 50XX, Bob Reeves 41sv-692s, Bach MV 1.5C/warburton 9 BB for legit.

Proffessional poker dealer/player (helps support my music habit) and trumpet player of the Octopi.

Now a synth junkie as well

StewMuse · Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 3:32 pm Post subject:

Sooner said: "and before anyone mentions it, yes I know the high G was a little out of tune."

First, your chops are going to be really great as you get better. They are already quite strong. What struck me, though, was the disparity between your low and high register intonation. The opening passgae was pretty flat, only to turn sharp as you repeated it in the higher octave. The highest G was not a real problem for me.

Being a better player means, specifically here, playing better in tune. When you start hitting the notes more precisely in the center of the pitch, your strength will also increase because you won't have to be constantly "fussing" with your embouchure to fix the pitch of the note you just played.

That's a really scary solo, though, because most all trumpeters, at least those 30+ years, already know it by heart (or certainly should!). Great effort!
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joetriscari · Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 10:59 pm Post subject: Feed Back!!!

Thanks for letting us listen to your recording.....
I think you did a fine job...Your sound will get bigger and filled with confidence as you continue to grow as a trumpet player.....
I feel the band has alot of intonation issues...which makes it even harder for you to play with confindence.....
Keep up the hard work...
I highly suggest to study with a fine teacher...
If you want any ideas please email...
Sincerely,
Joe Triscari
jvtriscari@earthlink.net