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Bear · 01-31-2005, 09:57 PM

I don't mean to be controversial but something has been weighing on my chest and I thought I might get some of y'all's opinions...

Maybe I was raised under some weird system but it is my belief that in order to become a sucessful musician (read MUSICIAN, not trpt player) one must wear different hats.. I always see these wars going on in high schools and colleges of classical vs jazz and who is better, blah, blah blah.
The way I see it is that you MUST be great at both "styles" in order to "make it". I understand different people have different levels of "making it".

I just don't see how a jazzer can never feel the power of a 60+ member orchestra and the vibrant tone colors that the ensemble can create and the majesty of a trumpet raising above the orchestra... so beautiful... I think it is essential for jazzers to expierence this. To be able to play music metrically and precisely in time with multiple others... etc.

On the other hand: I fail to see how the orch/wind/symphonic/concert player can not relish in the screamin lead lines of a big band or the intimate passion of a combo. I cannot fathom why classical players do not wish to learn how to color their sound or all the lil nuances/embellishments/etc that arise in jazz. I think it would be an asset to know how to play "out of time" or know how to improv and let your soul be heard... etc...

There are so many things I can go on and talk about but I think y'all understand what I'm gettin' at. I understand that some people just do not have an affinity for certain types of music and that it totally kewl with me... I dunno folxs, I'm sry. This is kinda long. It all started by me teaching a kid (13) who made several cuts for (state level) auditions (both jazz and legit) and then his high school director told him to pick either one or the other. I thought it was unfair to him and the Art...

I would rather have a good all around trumpet player who is versatile than one who is spectacular but can only play one type of music. For to my, it is all about the music and there is more than one type of music. Many pro Jazzers I kow can sight read and lay down a lick in classical reperotoire better than the cats who've been playing it for a few yrs. Granted their tone is not all that great comparitivly. Then on the flip side, I've seen classical gurus with technique up the butt lay down lead sheets and heads better than the jazzers... Grrr... I'm rambling again. I quit. To each their own.

01-31-2005, 09:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bear Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: CO Posts: 805	I don't mean to.... I don't mean to be controversial but something has been weighing on my chest and I thought I might get some of y'all's opinions... Maybe I was raised under some weird system but it is my belief that in order to become a sucessful musician (read MUSICIAN, not trpt player) one must wear different hats.. I always see these wars going on in high schools and colleges of classical vs jazz and who is better, blah, blah blah. The way I see it is that you MUST be great at both "styles" in order to "make it". I understand different people have different levels of "making it". I just don't see how a jazzer can never feel the power of a 60+ member orchestra and the vibrant tone colors that the ensemble can create and the majesty of a trumpet raising above the orchestra... so beautiful... I think it is essential for jazzers to expierence this. To be able to play music metrically and precisely in time with multiple others... etc. On the other hand: I fail to see how the orch/wind/symphonic/concert player can not relish in the screamin lead lines of a big band or the intimate passion of a combo. I cannot fathom why classical players do not wish to learn how to color their sound or all the lil nuances/embellishments/etc that arise in jazz. I think it would be an asset to know how to play "out of time" or know how to improv and let your soul be heard... etc... There are so many things I can go on and talk about but I think y'all understand what I'm gettin' at. I understand that some people just do not have an affinity for certain types of music and that it totally kewl with me... I dunno folxs, I'm sry. This is kinda long. It all started by me teaching a kid (13) who made several cuts for (state level) auditions (both jazz and legit) and then his high school director told him to pick either one or the other. I thought it was unfair to him and the Art... I would rather have a good all around trumpet player who is versatile than one who is spectacular but can only play one type of music. For to my, it is all about the music and there is more than one type of music. Many pro Jazzers I kow can sight read and lay down a lick in classical reperotoire better than the cats who've been playing it for a few yrs. Granted their tone is not all that great comparitivly. Then on the flip side, I've seen classical gurus with technique up the butt lay down lead sheets and heads better than the jazzers... Grrr... I'm rambling again. I quit. To each their own.