I Love Playing the Trumpet!!!!

[Jkobb13]

I just thought there should be a topic reserved for people to talk about how much fun playing trumpet is. Anybody want to talk about the ups and downs, accomplishments and failures of playing music??? I do!
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90% mental
19% air
1% everything else

[Babb9520]

My teacher... Jim Thompson, will often tell me that he finds enjoyment not necessarily in the accomplishment, but in the process; in teaching himself new things on the trumpet. And while there can be fine playing, it will always be a progression towards something new. If you think about it, how exciting would trumpet really be if you never had to work towards it? What if all you ever wanted was to win such and such competition? Would all the work really be worth the 5 minutes you stand up there with your prize?

Aside from that, I have loads of fun (and frustration) playing music. Any time I am frustrated though, I always feel that there is something in me that is not accepting myself as I am at that moment, rather I'm thinking about how I played the day before or how I am supposed to play the next day, or something totally unrelated!, etc. When I can find myself where I am, and work from there, being aware of the sounds I want to make, my breathing, tension: that is when my tone begins to open up.

Well, those are my thoughts for the day. Good luck to you!

[Billy B]

Very perceptive. Staying in the present is key. Too often band directors focus on "the band" or "the program" instead of the individual. Students who learn that the whole should be stronger than the sum of it's parts truly understand their role in the group as well as in their own development.
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Bill Bergren

[Ed Lee]

If I were teaching instrumental music ... and I could ... my perspective is this: If a student wanted to study to become a professional musician, I'd tell them to find another teacher. If the student wanted to learn sufficient to enjoy music the rest of their life, I'd say come sit beside me and lets play ... and that last word "play" has the double enuendo of "enjoyment".

Reality is a major factor, the diminishment of instrumentalists from the time they start to when they stop is enormous, and among those that keep with it, the chances of earning a decent living along with keeping a sustained family relationship are about as great odds as would be in winning the lottery. This is not to say one cannot earn money with their instrument as many do ... but there is seldom any security in doing so. It's always a hassle as to where the next gig will be and when ... and the rent/mortgage is due.

Certainly, I wouldn't say my choice of an alternative primary vocation was better ... as certainly it played havoc with my health ... but all along I've enjoyed making music if only for my family, friends, church, and select others and whether or not I received any money for such hasn't been a consideration ... most of the time.

[Billy B]

This thread is not about making a living playing the trumpet. It is about having fun playing the trumpet. Let's keep the darkness of the music "business" somewhere else.
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Bill Bergren

[Billy B]

As we prepare for upcoming performances, recordings etc. it seems inevitable we lose sight of the foundation of our playing. It is always a kick for me to return to the wind and song, as Mr Jacobs would say, and find that it always fixes any problems in my playing. So easy we end up making it difficult.
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Bill Bergren

[t24285766]

I've played both instruments, cornet and trumpet. I started out on the trumpet and then later switched to cornet. The cornet has a very melodic sounds, while the trumpet has a more majestic sound. So, do l love playing the trumpet over the cornet. No, playing either of the instrument is fun.....and that is what is should be.....FUN.

[Billy B]

Good posture makes for good sounds.
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Bill Bergren

[BRSpringer]

"Good posture makes for good sounds."
I proved this to one of my younger students just last night in his lesson. The change in his sound was dramatic once he sat up straight. Instilling good habits at a younger age helps to eliminate problems down the road.
Several years ago I had two students (5th grade) from the same school start lessons with me. Their sounds were very tight and pinched. I asked them if their band director had them buzzing the mouthpiece. She did. She also was not a brass player. Adam says a little buzzing is okay, but a lot of it can lead to unnecessary tension. I had them doing lots of leadpipe, and told them to just do the buzzing when their director tells them to in class. Over time their sounds opened up and their range increased; they weren't fighting the horn (we call it being in phase with the trumpet). As a result, they both enjoyed playing more.
As Pat stated in his key points in this forum, "we don't work music, we play music."

Barry

[swthiel]

Sometimes I feel that I'm "playing" the trumpet. Other times the experience is more that I'm "singing" the trumpet.

Getting into the "singing" zone is bliss, and a far more moving experience for both my audience and me.
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Steve Thiel

[Ed Lee]

[connicalman]

There's a reason why the wind instrumentalists get such a buzz from their instruments. Every time I think I've found it, whoosh, it's a memory.

Still, there's something about getting this fool contraption to make me sound good, this tube with its eight combinations of fingerings.

All that magic wrapped up in a paperclip-looking thing with a mouthpiece, a bell and three detours. I suppose I could golf instead, but there's not much chance of doing so in harmony.
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

[Jkobb13]

More crazy trumpet fun........recording the same music on two separate dates, only a week apart. And having the second recording sound 400 times better than the first......all due to the power of listening to what the music is supposed to sound like. Wish I would've figured that out sooner.....
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90% mental
19% air
1% everything else

[hansonsf]

Oh man!!! It's almost as good as sex!!! And I can go all night! When I walk to the back of the bandstand and see this



my pulse quickens. I LOVE it. Sometimes I think I must be the luckiest guy in the world to get to do this!

Steve

[Billy B]

[oliver king]

There are two players in the local area that come to mind. Both from different schools with differing approaches to playing the horn. They are simply incredible. Both are meticulous and precise in practice and they seem to have reduced playing the trumpet to the complexity of playing a kazoo. What they play seems to be a reflection of their imagination.

In my world ... I've great gear, have had the opportunity to study (for however briefly) with great teachers. I listen to excellent examples of trumpet players in many idioms. Playing the trumpet is the best use of my time I can imagine. Now if I can reduce it to breathing and blowing .... Back to practice.
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LB Bel Canto #59
Holton B47
Frankenhorn projects 1-5
Adams F1
Olds Super Tenor Trombone
Alesis QS8
B2MS3, B2GS3,

[grizzle]

[Jkobb13]

How about a YAY to five people all playing trumpet in the same room for 2 1/2 hrs......!!!!!!
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90% mental
19% air
1% everything else

[Billy B]

Don't forget the hot chocolate and cookies!
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Bill Bergren

[Billy B]

There is nothing like getting to play good arrangements with good musicians backing up a good singer to a packed house on New Year's Eve.

AND getting paid for it!
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Bill Bergren