| My first trumpet teacher taught me there are only two types of music. Good music and bad music. We then worked on all styles of good music. In college I learned to adapt to the style of the ensemble, whether it was a Quintet, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Solo playing, Bach, Ellington, whatever. We had Jazz Band rehearsal followed by the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble then Quintet. That night might be small group jazz, next morning private lesson. I remember being in the practice room working on Charlier, excerpts for Orchestra rehearsal the next day, Basie Lead parts for Friday Jazz Band. I'd have my C trumpet next to my Fluegel next to the picc next to my Lead mouthpiece and going back and forth. We all did that in those days at that school. Schlossberg and Clarke for Fundamentals, be-bop lines for Improv class....4-6 hours a day for practice time. The Brass Choir coach would jump on you if you used tongue stops at the ends of notes, the Big Band guy was all over you if you had sloppy ends. Haydn in your jury, better not loose your style even if you just got off a road tour for a week with the Jazz Band. This got me lots of work as a pro, the legit guys never knew I could play jazz, the jazz guys never new what that C trumpet was for. But all styles and good approaches compliment each other. As George Graham said, if you can't play legit you can't play. Good legit technique helps make you a better lead player with more control and ease, ask Lou Soloff. Good lead playing helps everything in Orchestral playing, projection and endurance. Ask Phil Smith. The only physical difference between legit and commercial work is how the tongue is used in phrasing. Good sound production is neccessary for all styles of playing. A high F is a high F in Duke or Stravinsky. Playing in tune, in time, in tone etc. is all needed. Sound that fits the style is needed. I listen to as much legit as jazz and always have. Yesterday I bought three Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble recordings I did not have, two Kenton re-issues of albums I lost and Sinatra's "Swingin Affair." Also Gerald Wison's New York Sound CD. (A new Borders opened up around us) I'll listen to that stuff all week.
So, with only two types of music to listen to, I choose to listen to just one type. GOOD MUSIC!
By the way, I love Christmas music. It sounds so good all the way to the bank. |