Dupac

Recently, two new posts on TM remind us that, in this early 3rd millenium, women are getting the upper hand :
"listen to this 5th grader", with a video that made The Dutch Guy (and others) jealous.
"TenThing", an other beautiful video that also made jealous some "silly boys" (isn't this a redundancy, Flugelgirl ?).
We have to be lucid, brothers : times are changing ! When I was young, all trumpet players were guys, remember Valaida Snow ; all trombone players were guys, remember Melba Liston ... but ... what am I saying ?

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Music is the healing force of the Universe.
Albert Ayler.

rettepnoj

Hmmmmmmmm......

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Jon Petter Lindberg

Selmer Concept TT
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Yamaha YTR 01
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rowuk

It depends what you mean by "better". Seeing as how the majority of brass media sales go to males, world class trumpeteers with an edge on leg contour are "better" suited for getting market share.

I personally do not think that there is any advantage based on sex or race if music is your only focus.

I close my eyes at concerts most of the time anyway. Most soloists are moving around too much and that is distracting to me. I also like to be at least 50 feet from the stage to get a bigger, more integrated picture. Most perfumes do not travel that far.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

bigtiny

Male, female, doesn't matter....there is no 'them' or 'us'. Some people can play, some can't. Many try.

bigtiny

flugelgirl

I really wouldn't say it's about quality or marketing - I think there are more female trumpeters in the world just because it's more acceptable in today's society to be one! I can't think of how many times I've heard a colleague state he wished he'd lived in the swing era, and I have to respond that I would much rather live in the current time. Today, I can make a living playing the music I love, where in the 1940s-1960s it would be more likely that I'd be stuck at home tending to babies and not accepted into most groups. I am so glad to be living in a time where I can be accepted in the profession I choose! :)

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Marcienkewicz Rembrandt flugel
Schilke P5-4
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I am now a Marcinkiewicz Artist!
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Dupac

Exactly what I wanted to suggest ... with a bit of humor. And with all my respect for women like V. Snow and M. Liston, who have been able to be known as brass players, at a time when women were mostly accepted as singers or playing piano, harp or flute... And be sure I don't feel nostalgic of old times, all the contrary !

__________________
Music is the healing force of the Universe.
Albert Ayler.

hornblatt

Five out of the six trumpeters in McGill's wind symphony are female and our section is fantastic. It would probably be just as fantastic if it were five men. I think it's just beginning to even out because it's so much more acceptable for women to play trumpet now. I don't think we're any better, just that we're more noticeable because there are more of us haha.

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Annie Lemieux
2006 ITG youth competition WINNER

veery715

I grew up with 4 sisters - no brothers. I can positively say that there are more reasons than how many there are why female trumpeters are more noticeable. For which I will be eternally grateful!

veery

rowuk

On this note, I could start with women sections where they scratch each others eyes out, just like the men mob each other. I am talking about first hand experience on the road, not stories over a beer.................

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

flugelgirl

I've spent most of my career being the only woman in the section - or sometimes there might be one other. It was kind of a culture shock the first time I played with an all-female big band - communication was very different sometimes! Men tend to communicate much more directly than women, and I am much more accustomed to "YOU are sharp HERE *point*." than "We might want to check intonation in the third bar - someone's sharp." It was also the first ( and only!) trumpet section I've ever played with where I was the tallest member of the section - and I'm 5'3" ! It made listening in the section much different because the lead player's bell was so much lower than I am used to. It was a great band, but definately took some getting used to!

__________________
Reeves V Raptor
Yamaha 8335RGM
50's Calicchio
Marcienkewicz Rembrandt flugel
Schilke P5-4
French Besson Classic C
Weril Regium Eb/D

I am now a Marcinkiewicz Artist!
http://www.marcinkiewicz.com/artist/index.htm