rowuk

I really think: to each his own.

Like a fine companion, there are major differences in density and finish. If you are into compact and smooth or airy and rough around the edges, there is enough to go around.

Analyzing the competition should only be used to improve our own skill set! A REAL trumpet player wants it all anyway!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Veldkamp

If you listen to Wynton Marsalis through his whole career you will hear many different sounds. In his twenties he had a much cleaner sound, compared to the fuzzier sound he's having now. But it fits with the style changes he made.

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tatakata

In his 20s he played a Bach. As he got older he went to Monette. That might have something to do with the fuzzyness.

Sorry to say but Monettes can sound fuzzy.

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TrentAustin

Monette horns absolutely record poorly. Live they sound much better but that being said to each his own.

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Rick14A4A

Wow, some good analogies here. I've always considered an individual tone to be relative to the question "What is the secret of life." I think your tone is your tone which you project in a natural situation. Meaning, if you have sound fundamentals, then why force a sound that isn't natural to your playing. I've heard many players from all genre and generally find something I like about their playing. Fats Navarro had that "stink" someone mentioned which fit his style. Dizzy had his along with Armstrong, Chase, and Maynard. I also like Faddas a lot for his style which is nothing like, but then again similiar to many of the old greats. One person I recently came across by the name of Alison Balsom has the most clear sound I've ever heard. I guess you could use "pure" in a decriptive sence, but she is just a freak on a horn. At times when I'm playing I'll hit a stream where it gets my attention for having a good sound. Most of the time though I don't really give it much thought for the reason I mentioned above. It's my sound. Of course I don't have anyone throwing coin in my direction to play, but I play for myself and if others enjoy it, then that's cool too.
With that said, I do tell kids all the time to quit sucking on their horns and put some air in it. That's one sound no one likes but, they have not spent time in the woodshed learning to play.

Vulgano Brother

I will argue, and even put my fists up (rare for Vulgani, being lovers and not fighters) that "tone" is the same for all genres of music. Some pieces require different sounds than others, and those jazz players with a distinct tone choose pieces that fit their sound. An orchestral player will adopt the same tone of Chet Baker or Don Ellis or Bill Chase or Miles Davis or Gil Johnson or Bud Herseth as it applies to a piece, albeit with an orchestral attack and release.

Marketing a "sound" without the music making to back it up is a cheap way to advance oneself.

End of rant.

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Uniquetrumpet

Nothing for me like listening to Chet Baker in the trio format he often recorded with in the late 70's.

He would put the bell of his horn right into the mic and you could hear valves clicking and spit all over the place.....his tone was not as pure as it was in the 50's but to me it is beautifull and very real.

Rick14A4A

I get the feeling we are actually talking about style instead of tone. The "tone" of the horn will not differ with all things being equal. The style in which one plays I think is more defining for an individual. Put 20 well known players in a room and have them play c-g in half notes. I find it hard to believe you can pick one player's identity over another. Give those same people 8 bars to play and you'll have a better chance on picking an identity of an indiviual player.

Hiya999

wahaha! jazz tone. i've been thinking about this: maynard ferguson/arturo sandoval vs chet baker/chris botti

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