Someone who is nothing special make it happen?

[Trumpetmonk1]

Hey all,

I really desire to be a great trumpet player one day. I've had my ups and downs with the thing. I'm a student of an Adam student and I believe it's the best way to go. But sometimes I wonder if anyone has made their living off this crazy thing that wasn't so hot to begin with. Was their any Adam students that were just ok but later on got great? Thanks for the support.

[trombino]

I can't speak about being great because if I were going to be great I would be by now. I have been very fortunate to be able to be good enough to make a living, not a princely living mind you, as a trumpet player. Rarely am I the best player in a given situation but I'm in demand because I show up on time, in the right suit, and with a manner pleasant enough that people don't groan when they see me. I show up prepared and pretty nearly always do a good job. You don't have to be great in 90% of playing situations.. You have to be competent. Wynton and Phil Smith are great. So are a lot of others, some on this list. My advice, not that you asked, is become competent. If great happens, wonderful.

[etc-etc]

That is quite sage advice!

[Billy B]

Ask Greg about Bobby Burns or any of the hundreds of terrible trumpet players who became great while studying with Bill Adam.
_________________
Bill Bergren
Obstacles are what appear when you take your eye off of the goal.
www.synergyjazz.org

[PH]

Bobby Burns was a total mess when he started with Mr. Adam. He is now obe of the great physical trumpet players in the world. Charlie Davis didn't get into the IU school of music on his first attempt. I auditioned for IU 3 seperate times as an undergrad and was turned away each time for "lack of talent." Now I'm on the faculty.
_________________
Bach trumpet artist-clinician
Professor of Jazz Studies, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Faculty Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops since 1976

[PH]

http://bobbyburnsjr.com/index_2.htm
_________________
Bach trumpet artist-clinician
Professor of Jazz Studies, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Faculty Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops since 1976

[John Mohan]

Bob Burns now plays for Earth, Wind and Fire, if you didn't already know that (and he still does even if you did).

Bobby and I played alongside each other back in the 1980's after we both moved to Los Angeles from the Midwest to work there. By fortunate coincidence, we met up again when we found ourselves both playing on the musical "Evita" in Berlin, Germany in 2002.

He is, as several others have said, a monster player.

As for your original question, not to pat myself on the back, but I was a typical, struggling player back in High School with a passion to become a pro at it. And I did - by having the blessing of studying with Claude Gordon and practicing my butt off as directed.

Talent is about 99% work. If you have the desire, if you find a great teacher (such as Bill Adam) and if you stick with it, YOU HAVE THE TALENT.

If you wish, you can read more about my story of rising from a struggler to a player in the link below my name.

Best wishes,

John Mohan
https://www.purtle.com/how-i-became-a-student-of-claude-gordon-by-john-mohan

Link

_________________
Trumpet Player, Clinician & Teacher
14 Year Claude Gordon Student
1st Trpt for "Cats", "Phantom of the Opera",
"West Side Story", "Evita", "Grease",
Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame", etc.
Burbank Benge 6x
Copy of a Mt Vernon 3C

[trpthrld]

Bobby is also one of the nicest guys around. Humbleness that exceeds his enormous talent. We worked together a lot in Los Angeles, and he was in my brass quintet that was featured on an episode of "The West Wing."

He has truly paid his dues and is deserving of everything good that he gets.

Oh yeah - he probably has a body fat percentage of around 2%. That guy is in GREAT physical shape, sets a terrific example for everyone in that arena, too.
_________________
Tim Wendt / Kanstul Artist http://kanstul.com/artistClinicians.php?metaPage=ArtistClinicians

Got swab?
www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=55103&s=The-Best-Damn-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-Period-

[andybharms]

Quick book recommendation: "Talent is Overrated" by Geoff Colvin. Kind of a watery popularization of what the research is showing, but a good intro.
_________________
Andy

[solo soprano]

The ambitious player with half the natural ability will pass up the lazy "talented" player every time. If you have the ambition to do what it will take in the way of practice, don't worry...you've got the talent.

[trumpetDS]

I was a pretty good trumpet player in middle school, but didn't make it into the trumpet section in high school so I switched to valve trombone. At the end of my senior year, I got my trumpet chops together enough to get into college to major in music ed. After practicing 4 hours almost every day, I became a decent college player but nothing to write home about. After college I let me playing slip for about ten years. Finally at the age of 30, I was really ready to learn. My mind was right and I was focused and determined to make trumpet work for real this time. I began auditioning for major symphonies 6 months later. I have since decided to remain in my previous career, but freelance as much as possible with the best groups I can to fill the missing void that I lack in my "day job." I do sub with a major symphony which is more than I ever dreamed of. Trumpet has never been easy for me. It's a lot of work. Focus, be patient, set goals, come up with a plan to reach your goals, and never give up.

[arscroggs]

Chris Botti, believe it or not, sat in the low side of the middle of the studio when he was at Indiana with Mr. Adam. He kept at it and you see how he ended up.
_________________
Andy