Star Wars Trumpets

[Saitama]

Hi, just wondering on how the trumpets in star wars soundtrack sound so brassy. Is it their equipment or technique, what types of practice would I have to do to achieve such sound, or is there a way to play like that with the manipulation of the lips (squeeze tighter, more air...) Thanks

[david johnson]

The original soundtrack recordings I have heard are all with the London Symphony Orchestra, but several orchestras have recorded suites of the music - LA Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and so on. Trumpet sections of these orchestras will be able to produce a variety of tonal colors. It's in their job.
If one plays high register with great volume, the sound will have that brassy 'color' you like.
How to do it? Mastery of fundamentals, range development, embouchure. In my opinion you work on being a good player and learn the techniques required. Don't work trying to get that one 'brassy' sound. Once you are developed and can play at all dynamics with a clear tone throughout the low/medium/high registers you'll find that mouthpiece selection will have some effect on the tone color produce.
Types of practice - Chicowicz flow studies, Clarke Technical Studies, all scales two octaves, Arban book. Do some of those each day. Take a few lessons from a reputable teacher.

[OldHorn]

Sound can be manipulated by the recording engineer with EQ and other tools. pushing certain frequencies, cutting others. The end result that we hear is more than just the sound of the players.

[Saitama]

Thanks everyone, very informative Mr David Johnson, thanks for the tips and practice suggestions. Will start working on it 😊

[PhilS]

Hi,

The sound you’re referring to comes partly from the players, partly from the production side of recording and partly from the orchestration. Without getting too technical, the trumpet sounds very different when played alone, compared with when it’s played in a section - and the sound engineer, recording space and equipment can have an influence too of course.

The key to playing like these players is the same as it should be for every player in every setting. Breathe in a relaxed manner, take in the air that you need (the opening of Mahler 5 doesn’t require the same inhalation as the first note of Star Wars, for example), never force the trumpet to sound and allow the air passing between your lips to create the buzz which causes the air column inside the instrument to vibrate. Don’t try to make the trumpet sound a certain way - breathe, cause your lips to buzz and let it sound.

Finally, think about intonation. For example, if you’re playing a B-flat trumpet, try the top space E naturals in the Imperial March on 1st & 2nd valves instead of open. Completely different intonation (corresponding better to the surrounding harmony) and also sounds more brilliant in this context. It’s all about practising so that you know how to achieve the desired result for the passage in question.

The sound of our instrument is thrilling to the ear, but the best players achieve their results through balance and finesse, never brute strength - even when the sound might suggest the latter.

However, of course the players that you’re hearing are among the best in the world. As you might know, the 1st players are Maurice Murphy (then principal of the London Symphony Orchestra) for Episodes 1-6 (or 4-6 and 1-3 if you’re chronologically-minded!), and Jon Lewis, a great studio and orchestral player for Episodes 7-9, Rogue One and the track ‘The Adventures of Han’ from Solo. (The majority of the soundtrack to Solo was recorded by a freelance orchestra in London, with Philip Cobb on 1st trumpet... who happens to be one of the current principals of the LSO!).

If you’re interested, as far as Jon Lewis is concerned, the best introduction to his approach to playing is the following podcast, which I can’t recommend highly enough: http://www.bobreeves.com/blog/trumpet-podcast-jon-lewis/

As for Maurice Murphy, there are a few links that are of interest, and many videos on YouTube. I’m sure they’ve been shared widely here in the past, but for convenience:

This is a podcast produced upon his second retirement from the LSO (all is explained!): https://lso.co.uk/more/news/117-maurice-murphy.html?start=2

This YT video shows him up close, and he and Nigel Gomm (3rd in the LSO at the time, and played, I believe, on Star Wars 1-3) talk about breathing, phrasing and section playing - so many of your original questions answered by the ‘Star Wars’ trumpeters themselves! https://youtu.be/EMYKvYc5aaw[/i]

Best of luck!

[david johnson]