| Just an update on this situation with me. I've been playing in a university big band here the last month and a half. I've butted heads with the big band leader a few times on style issues. Of course, he is twice my age and has run the big band for years but he doesn't really listen to big band music. I brought in some recordings of the stuff we are playing and had the band just listen to them. It's amazing what listening can do for a bunch of young impressionable players. Some of them now understand why I do some of the things I do when I'm playing the lead book. I have burned tons of music for the trumpet section to listen to and they love it. I couldn't believe that in their studies of music, jazz had pretty much been left out in the cold when it came to their instructor teaching styles.
My recent resurgence on trumpet has really been a listening and learning adventure. As previously stated by someone, musicality is the priority. I've worked on the range but rarely use it. I do, however, have that G or F if the music calls for it. So I have decided that those notes are high enough for what I do and will work to keep them and maybe a little more if needed. My sound and musicality seem to have made much more of an impression than my G on these university students. Thanks to everyone for all of your comments on this subject.
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Mike
Eclipse MHY Bell
1949 Olds Ambassador
Listening has nothing to do with moving your mouth! |