11thchair

Would you not have to start early in life on a trumpet - or any other instrument. There is some basic wiring of the brain while you are growing that has to occur if you want to be one of the "great" players.

I sure didn't - plus I killed off (while in college) several of the few cells that I did develop .

wiseone2

You don't have to be "great" to enjoy performing music. Love what you are doing at ANY musical level.........isn't that the true definition of amateur.
Wilmer

11thchair

No argument. At 55 I'm truly enjoying playing my trumpet. Sometimes I feel like I'm actually improving. But my statement was in comment to starting later in life to play and becoming a "great". I'm thinking it cannot be done because there is some basic wiring of the brain that has to be done, and can only be done when one is a child. Enjoyment can be started at any time

wiseone2

I picked the trumpet because it was the most beautiful, shiny instrument in a room full of possible horn choices for me. It was love at first sight. I was about 8 years old. Greatness was never on my mind.....neither were high notes. I always loved music, all types of music. Music was fun.
We usually make career choices early, that is the reason you don't have many 40 year old first year trumpet majors at conservatories or universities.
Wilmer

gregc

As long as we're on 'age' here, I've got a question....
I just turned 48 now, I have privately studied percussion, guitar, and have taken all the music classes I could get thru Community College (AA & AAS, 120 lower division credits......don't ask, I had NO mentor or decent counceling... bailed out on a music scholarship cause I thought I'd NEVER work... music teachers were getting the axe daily, everywhere too). I am now privately studying trumpet. I think in the next couple years I may be able to cut back to a part-time job and spend more time doing what I want to. I think I'd like to finish my music degree and play a LOT of trumpet.
I guess the question is: Can you even get IN a school, or are they going to save the seat for some younger person who has so many more years ahead? I could understand and will live on either way but these days I'm thinking real hard about it.
Thanks,
Greg C

MalinTrumpet

A few years ago I got interested in possibly going back to school for another masters or a doctorate. I have a BM from a conservatory and a Masters from NYU. The real reason I wanted to go back to school though was to concentrate on my playing. I decided not to because I could study privately and play in as many orchestras and other ensembles as I wanted without going to school. I teach band during the day. I've been doing it for many years and have the kind of job which does not require much preparation. Therefore, when I get home at 3:30 my time is my own.

I practice everyday, religiously, and take lessons. I play a lot. Sometimes freebees, sometimes semi-professional and sometimes professional. This year I'll perform Mahler #5 twice, the Haydn concerto with an orchestra and lots of other interesting works.

I have found though, and this is important, that my practicing has become extremely concentrated. I listen to every note I play very carefully and rarely waste time. I'm still improving every day. It's very exciting for me that I actually play well. After having such a struggle with the trumpet for so many years it's become something that I look forward every day.

Larry Malin

PS: By the way, I'm 57

gregc

Thanks for the response. There is certainly nothing wrong with studying privately and doing exactly what you want. In fact, the more I think about it, I may 'prefer' to go that route....
Thanks again,
Greg C

MalinTrumpet

Hi Wilmer:

I went to the new Sweeney Todd tonight. I think the is the 6th production of this play that I've seen including the one that's on the video.

It's an entertaining production because the music is still beautiful and Patti Lupone and Michael Cerveris are great singing actors. What definitely doesn't work is the idea of having the actors play instruments instead of an authentic pit orchestra.

The 2 characters who play the trumpet on stage, the Judge and his Beadle had difficulty with the trumpet parts. I don't think they are of professional quality. Most of the parts they play are cup muted but sound strained. The Judge has the principal trumpet part and was very inaccurate. Patti Lupone actually did a fair job when she played the tuba (!!!). I also missed the wonderful large string section of the original orchestration. There is no large chorus as in most productions. All the principal actors become a small, aenemic chorus.

There were many times when the ensemble was not together. There was no conductor visible to my eyes and I wonder who the ensemble takes its cues from. I don't think there was a video moniter as is often used with off stage orchestras.

There's much more symbolism in this production. All the wonderful stuff with the mechanical barber chair is gone. Instead of shaving and killing all of his customers in the 2nd act while singing "Joanna", Sweeney just clutches a miniature coffin.

I love this music but, to me, this isn't the real Sweeney Todd. Knowing your experience with this work I have a feeling you wouldn't like this production either.

Larry Malin

wiseone2

I can not imagine Sweeney Todd without Jonathan Tunick's wonderful arranging contributions to the brilliant score. We used C trumpets for Sweeney. This was one of the few shows that kept the interest of the orchestra for the entire run of the show.
Angela Landsbury liked to perform in a cold theater. It was so cold in the pit I wore a pea jacket and played with gloves. Brrrrrrr.

The music is magic.
Wilmer

MalinTrumpet

Yessss. Magic is the word!

Larry