Any Late Starters who became great trumpeters?

Trumpet2003

Are there any really good professional trumpeters who didn't start playing trumpet until they were 50?

I started playing trumpet when I was 50, and do not play any other instrument or sing. All the trumpeters I read about started playing when they were kids. It would be cool to know of some that started later.

No matter what answers turn up, I'll keep playing because it is fun and I am slowly getting better. Nevertheless, it would be fun to know!

jiarby · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 Jul 2011 Posts: 1188

I hope so.. I just turned 49! At this point (after 3-1/2 yrs) I am still a work in progress, but I get better every week.... it's bound to add up eventually.

weeweetrumpet · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 116

Nvidal is gonna win NY Phil and he's an old banker. We all in the trumpetherald community are so proud of him.
_________________
Don't hate me because I'm French

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:44 am Post subject:

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:48 am Post subject:

beagle · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject:

Although he did start young, Doc Cheatham did his finest playing when he was over 70 years old.

Rob
_________________
Schagerl Sig. James Morrison
Selmer Paris Chorus 80J

nvidal · Veteran Member Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 389

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:18 pm Post subject:

trumpetplayer0103 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:32 pm Post subject:

[youtube] http://youtu.be/R3iXPA5vCuE

Tom Hooten claims to be a late starter. I don't know how old he was when he started, though. [/youtube]

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:48 pm Post subject:

MrClean · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:32 pm Post subject:

Tom is like Tiger Woods - how many times did he change his swing in search of perfection even after obliterating the field? He continues to change and refine his setup in search of the perfect balance between sound, flexibility and efficiency. I marvel at his process and search of perfection. He was already a great player when he started in LA but has grown so much during his short time here. I wonder what his inspiration is.

Must be me...

_________________
Jim Wilt
LA Philharmonic
Colburn School

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject:

MrClean · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:32 pm Post subject:

Not really - it was a comment toward the post directly above it.

Tom was a late starter of sorts if you consider he didn't start taking lessons until his senior year of HS, and he only took a couple.
_________________
Jim Wilt
LA Philharmonic
Colburn School

lmaraya · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 618

DJ Barraclough of the Dallas Brass started in his second year of college, but he already played mean trombone when did the change to trumpet.

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 5:56 am Post subject:

lmaraya · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 618

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:04 am Post subject:

trickg · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:20 pm Post subject:

I think there is always hope when it comes to what a person can achieve, no matter when they start.

A story I like to tell is about a woman I met at an Easter gig years ago. She was in her late 50s/early 60s, and when she started playing, it was clear she was a polished professional flautist and not the run of the mill part-timer who plays for church occasionally.

We got to chatting over the breakfast break between the rehearsal and the service and it turned out that she was a comeback player. She had played in high school and was good enough, but she got married right out of high school, had a few kids, and was largely a stay-at-home mom during that time. She didn't go to college after high school - her husband was the bread winner and provided quite well for the family, so her focus was on her kids and the home.

When her youngest child enrolled in college, she didn't want to sit around being an empty-nester, so she enrolled in college too, and decided to pick the flute back up. She'd enjoyed it back in high school and thought it would be fun.

By the time I met her she was teaching college-level flut, so she clearly excelled at it.

As long as you've got your health and your wits about you, it's never too late IMO - it just depends on how badly you want it, and if you have the time to truly pursue it. The lady from my story had the time, so she took it as far as she could go.
_________________
Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
- Brasspire Unicorn C
- ACB Doubler

"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

Trumpet2003 · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:17 am Post subject:

ErikE · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:03 am Post subject: Late beginner

I've had one student who didn't start until he was 48, I think. After four years of lessons, he joined a community band, able to play on their easier numbers. A year after that and he's able to do some easy jamming with friends on jazz tunes.

I don't think he'll be noted as an exceptional trumpeter, but he has fun playing on a regular basis, which was his goal to begin with.

Hang in there!
_________________
Erik Esvelt
Selmer Paris Sigma
Strad Flugel