Vulgano Brother

I would amend that to "and an insane amount of work...." I also believe that virtually all of us have the talent, but that it is closer to the surface for some than for others. I would also propose that there is a phsyiological element that blesses the absolute top players. Lest I be accused of being (once again!) sexist, that is not what I'm referring to, nor to size, weight, etc. I'm talking here of those small variations in size and shape of mouth cavity, teeth, etc. Psychologically, having a healthy dose of obsessive/compulsive perfectionism seems to come in handy--otherwise, none of us would find an insane amount of work so natural and right.

The most important quality, I believe, is attitude. Do we have the desire to take that trumpeter inside our heads and make that heard? Are we willing to try stuff in order to find out what works for us and be willing to let go of what doesn't work? Are we willing to let other people speak into our lives? Are we willing to really listen, willing to really know our bodies, willing to separate the truth from the lies--from ourselves and others? Are we willing to learn?

I guess then, the most important trait that good trumpeters have is willingness.

Be willing to have fun, too!

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BAM

Talent AND a great work ethic are needed to be successful. I can shoot baskets 8 hours a day but that's not going to make me Michael Jordan. Likewise, I can practice 8 hours a day, and that's not going to make me play like Chris Martin. Those that work hard AND are extremely talented are the ones that ultimately succeed at the highest level.

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NYTC Stage 1 Performing Artist

rowuk

The original question was what does it take to play trumpet.
The first thing that you need is - well - a trumpet. Then we need to define "play". I agree with Manny that TALENT is the gift that gets us even started. Many of us are very gifted and don't even realize it! The gift of an ear that can differentiate musical things, the gift of dedication that allows us to practice because we want to accomplish something, the gift of giving, that gives us the guts to perform for other people, even the gift of parents that care enough tobuy an instrument, pay for lessons, keep after us to be the best that WE can be.
Once we open our eyes and realize how good we have it, we need to turn it around. The trumpet is an ideal instrument for giving those around us an earful - with a bit of talent, they are even willing to come back for more!

If you want to get started on the trumpet, the first step ist to find someone that can guide you. The beginning is the most critical in your career. If you start with bad habits - they will haunt you for a lifetime. Find a teacher/mentor. They can help you find a proper instrument and get you pointed in the right direction. After that, the rest is up to you. Practice and listening will turn that modest beginning into something quite special - even if you are not the most talented player on earth.
If you search here at TM for "comeback" players, you will see how much satisfaction even slow progress can bring. Most of these players will not be the next Maurice André - but will bring great joy to many people. That is true talent!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

The BuZZ

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Stage 1: California Light
Calicchio: Solo Copper 3/9
Getzen: Eterna Flugel
GR: 66MX, Zottola: 66 FL
Assorted Garage Tools

"Some days you get up and put the horn to your chops and it sounds pretty good and you win. Some days you try and nothing works and the horn wins. This goes on and on and then you die and the horn wins."
Dizzy

trumpetnick

I will get into the talent talk and will even dare to have a different opinion that the one expressed by Manny regardless of the great admiration I have for people like him....I hope that this won't offend him in any way whatsoever. iHowever, if this happens, Manny be aware that I did not it on purpose.

The definition of the talent is a very complexe, confusing and contradictive task, so I would rather say what the talent is not. Normal hearing abilities and proper education will give most people the "discerning ear" - the ability of singing and hearing in tune

Music rythm has a lot to do with mathematics. IMHO every person with normal intelectual abilities (as opposed to people with mental deseases) should be able to execute a given rythm accurately. A talent will give a person the abilities and the wisdom how to make that rythm to sound exciting

I don't know wether to agree or disagree with that one. It is sure that people who make things right instinctively will progress more rapidly. The others will need to do conscious changes until they get to the subconscious which takes more time, but this does not necessarily mean that it is impossible, just more difficult and time consuming.

It seems that all trumpeters have that desire, but not all have to necessary practice wisdom to achieve it...I have never met a trumpeter who does not want to play high notes, but met much less who can make those sounds effectively and be reliable at all time when playing those.

Little story there:

I went to a lesson with reknowned trumpeter for whom I have a great deal of admiration and one of the first comment he made was:

"I cannot teach you how to play 'cause you know that, but I can learn you how to practice"

To cut it short, IMHO the talent has more about with the how to make music exciting (though this is questionable too 'cause the music analisys has its plays in here as well) than what. Many people can be educated to hear "in tune" and play in tune too, but is this what talent is all about? Not so sure...

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Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

trumpetnick

I am aware that I may be opening a pandora box....hope however that I am not hijacking this thread...

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

rowuk

Nick,
I don't think you are hijacking the thread - the original question was what does it take to play the trumpet. We have all defined the body functions required and that should help the author of the thread in any case. The part where the soul takes over is where many of us do not agree - nor do we have to!
To play a trumpet we need to cover the mechanical base AND the spirit of the music. Manny builds that into the basics of playing (I do too) and that works for both of us and many of our students (even the less gifted ones). Other approaches may choose to deal with these issues separately - the only thing that counts is what comes out of the front of the bell!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Manny Laureano

Nick,

I don't think we disagree at all. I think you took some of my statements too literally and believed I meant something else but I think we agree. Look carefully at the original qiestion and I think you'll see we come to the same conclusions.

Nick, by the way... there's no way you'd ever offend me just as you know that I would never do that to you.

ML

DevilishTrumpetPlayerGod

Uhh this is a very simple one to answer. You need the will and desire to try to play a semi-demanding instrument. Talent does not matter. Your breathing always tends to improve, I orginally had asthma when I started playing, now I play like it is a pasttime. So you must want to pick up a brass instrument and play it.

Manny Laureano

D,

I would say that it's all in how you define "playing". There's making a sound and there's making music.

A monkey can make a sound on a piano if you show him how to touch the keys. Is that music? Of course not. That's the point I'm trying to make. Sound is not necessarily music unless there's purpose behind it.

ML