trumpetdiva1

Actually, I can understand how you feel. I went from being a big fish in a small city to a small (hardly noticeable) fish in a big city--that city being New York City. My morale started to slip just like yours until I decided to use this time constructively and focus on jazz improvisation (an opportunity that I did not have in my previous musical community because I was busy playing gigs and lead trumpet so much) and learn something new as well as take advantage of the wonderful live performances available to me.

You can use this time wisely and effectively to learn other parts outside of the first part that will assist you and make you a better first part trumpet player when you get there. You will then more fully understand how all the parts function and work together.

I play more today for the music than I ever have in my entire life. I work on progress and improvement in small steps. One of my former trumpet teachers told me, “Never compare yourself to others.” I try to live by that concept. It is a difficult concept because trumpet players can be sensitive just like other musicians, especially when they are younger and first chair and what part you are playing seems to become more important. Do not equate your own self worth with what chair you are sitting in. Work really hard and really get into the part that you are now playing.

I can sure think of times when I had felt better about my trumpet playing in comparison to other trumpet players. I think that many trumpet players have experienced this in their playing career. I used to be recognized for my lead trumpet playing in my previous community. In fact, around the mid-1990’s I had job offers after graduate school as a trumpet player from the Navy, Marines, and Army bands and had a great offer to play in one of the top six out of fifty Army bands in Norfolk, Virginia (scoring two tenths of a point, 3.4/4.0, from the DC band in my audition) and call backs with several Air Force bands.

However, that is not where I am at today. I have not had a gig since I moved to New York City in over two years, but this is understandable because there are so many great players here. So, I have to accept where I am at today with my playing and move on with my life. Where I was at yesterday is not where I am at today, which is not necessarily where I am going to be tomorrow or in several years from now. This is the same in your situation.

Practice consistently and find a good to great trumpet teacher in your area or nearby who can help meet your musical goals. They will help you move in the right direction. Keep positive and stay focused.

Janell

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Janell Carter