Lifelong musician, beginning trumpeter

joelf

Hello forum:

My name is Joel Fass. I've been a professional guitarist-composer-songwriter for most of my nigh 67 years, active in jazz and somewhat in pop.

I always have been in love with trumpet, perhaps more so flugelhorn. As a single-note improviser I've used that dark; round sound as a model and a 'simulated air column'---a longtime jazz guitar approach.

I finally took the plunge last winter and got me a horn, a decent, clean Hoffer student model---OK to start out with. I had no illusions about making quick progress, knowing at least that lips on brass is not at 1st natural. I reasoned that if nothing else learning some fingering and breath control would give me some good orchestration insight. But I really do want to play, at least for myself.

These 1st months really kicked my behind and humbled me. Just to get a sound; go through lip buzzes; breathing to the metronome; achieve a beginning embouchure. I hit on a local (Philly) player friend to teach me, and he graciously accepted. Now at least I've just started to be able to make the open C G high C and the 1st 4 of a C scale. Believe me, it's progress when 2 weeks ago I could hardly control air passage enough to play any note in tune.

It's a test of patience when you know music having been involved for your life, but now must start as a baby switching to the 'brave new world'---but I'm determined, and inspired.

Advice an encouragement would be welcome. Thanks!...

(Update: I can now play, in tune, the opening strains of When I Grow Too Old to Dream---and start fooling with Moanin' in concert G. Eb!)

Straight ahead...

tptptp · Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 7:40 am Post subject:

Joel, what you're doing is about as brave as taking up golf at this age!

Seriously, I admire you for taking this on. A teacher will be of great benefit, and just keep going.
If possible, get a high quality horn....Maybe ask your teacher to play-test it before buying.
Good luck!
_________________
Craig Mitchell

Dayton · Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 8:10 am Post subject:

Welcome to trumpet playing! Work with your friend to put together a routine that meets your needs, and then stick to it. Don't over practice, which is easy to do at the early stages. Don't worry about your horn at this stage. As long as it is mechanically sound it should be fine for your first few years. Have fun!

joelf · Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 8:32 am Post subject:

JayKosta

joelf

joelf

Croquethed · Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 9:28 am Post subject:

Welcome to trumpet playing, Joel!

I lucked into seeing Elliot one night at a Litchfield Jazz Camp faculty concert a couple years ago. Yes, I'd say you're in VERY good hands instructorwise.

You sound like a consummate professional who knows exactly how music should be approached. I have never played anything other than trumpet, and took 40 years off between Stints 1 and 2, so have very little to compare it to. But it becomes an indispensible part of your day very quickly.

I also second recognizing the brass playing/health connection. Getting the horn on one's lips every day and getting that half-hour run in are a terrific feedback loop. Oh, and Moanin' is a very cool song to be noodling with!

Brad361 · Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 7:29 am Post subject:

Welcome! Sounds like you’re on the right track. And if you at times get discouraged, check out the quote by Arturo Sandoval below my signature. It’s not meant to be used as an excuse, but it’s reality for most of us.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

joelf · Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 3:17 pm Post subject:

royjohn · Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 6:00 pm Post subject:

Hello Joel,
Welcome to the trumpet world! If I read your original post right, you are able to play a high C, so something about your embochure is right! Good luck with your playing!
_________________
royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . .

delano · Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 5:10 am Post subject:

Whatever a high C means to a guitar player....

SMrtn · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:14 pm Post subject:

If you're anything like me you'll want to quit a thousand times, but if you just don't, you'll get all your scales and modes under your fingers. You'll start to play stuff, improvise, and actually enjoy it. You'll even begin harmonizing with other players, which is the best part.

Satchel · Veteran Member Joined: 12 Apr 2021 Posts: 115

Hi! I'm in my early 30s and picked up trumpet a little over a month ago. I'm in the same boat, as an adult lifelong-musician/trumpet-beginner: it's difficult to get a sound. I was expecting the same curve as saxophone. It's been harder than saxophone so far.

I tried on my own: zero success, very frustrating. I invested in a teacher and finally it worked and she helped build confidence. Now I have 1.5 "safe" octave to play with and I can already play a few traditional tunes from my country.

The challenge where I'm at is to expand the range, note by note, and to control soft playing. With my teacher we do mostly exercises, breathing, learning to relax, position of the horn, of the body, of the mouth... So many minute things to get right.

joelf · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:07 am Post subject:

SMrtn · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:07 pm Post subject:

joelf · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 7:52 am Post subject:

joelf · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:31 am Post subject:

trickg · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:25 am Post subject:

The one thing that I'll add here that doesn't seem to have been addressed yet is that you're going to have to embrace the idea that this is going to be harder and take longer than you probably realize.

Here are a couple of perspectives. This is a bit wordy, but stick with me - I believe it's relevant.

As a trumpet player I started at age 11 in the 5th grade. I was a middle-of-the-section player until about halfway through my 7th grade year. For some reason that's when things started to click and really come naturally. In a practical sense, I'd been on the horn 2-3 years.

Moving forward from there, I was 17 and in my Junior year of HS before I got to a point where I could play at a level beyond the typical HS kid - I played my first wedding for pay that year.

Keep in mind, I was not a mediocre player by that point. I walked away with the trumpet solo awards at our regional music contests both my Junior and Senior years, participated in all of the regional honor bands, was seated high in the section in the All-State honor band, and auditioned for and was accepted into the Army music program at the beginning of my Senior year of HS.

Here's another perspective.

I started playing drums regularly at age 33 when a friend needed a drummer for his church's praise team. I already had a 10-year stint as an active duty Army trumpet player, and did a lot of freelance stuff with weddings, big bands, Latin bands, wedding bands, brass quintets - so I figured that playing drums was going to be a simple matter to pick up. I'd dabbled with drums since I was in high school, both as a kit player and as a rudimental snare drummer, so I figured my hands were already in great shape.

The reality was a bit different. I was getting by just fine and thought I was doing great until I was able to get my hands on some of the recordings off of the sound board on Sunday mornings. Those revealed that I wasn't nearly as awesome as I thought I was, and that there were some issues I needed to address - your perspective behind the kit isn't always what's actually happening. I ended up moving on to another church that had a CD ministry so I was able to analyze my playing on a weekly basis, which helped tremendously, but it was also humbling.

I was a full 5 years into my drumming endeavors before I could listen back to a recording of a performance and not cringe about how I'd played something.

So how does all of this apply to you?

I found out as an adult trying to pick up another instrument that there is no shortcut to get you past the beginning stages of building technique and musicianship on the new instrument, regardless of your abilities with another instrument. Even though adults have a different level of discipline and commitment than kids do, it's likely to be YEARS before you'll get to a point where you can be functional musically on the level you wish to be.

Point blank: you're going to have to embrace the suck for a while, and you're going to have to stick with it long enough to push through to the other side of it. This is providing for the idea that you don't have some fundamental technique/embouchure obstacles to overcome. I was a natural, and it still took me 7 years to get to a point where I could play at a level that would be acceptable outside of an academic setting.

Every time I see a thread started by an adult newcomer to the horn, or even a comeback player who hasn't played in a long time, I kinda cringe because I know that unlike kids who are happy to be doing it at all, adults tend to lose patience with things where they don't see quick improvement.

I didn't post all of this to be discouraging. I posted it as a reality check that it's going to be a while before you develop enough skills on the horn to do anything with it outside of the practice room.

Good luck and keep us posted!
_________________
Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
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"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

joelf · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:00 pm Post subject:

Not discouraged in the least---nor do I have a single illusion about how long it'll take or how hard I'll have to work. I'm not a Pollyanna, but very determined.

Like I said initially, even if I never play for anyone but myself if I can finger and understand the horn; get a sound; think in Bb---all enough to ratchet my writing chops up some I'll be ahead of the game.

We'll see in a year if the bloom's off the rose. Anything's possible and we all know the turns life can take. I'm betting I'll hang in, long as I'm breathing in and out...