CNN.com - Career - Phil Smith, trumpet: 'It's a blessing' - February 22, 2001

Thank you for that article. My favorite part was when Phil said, "I can sit there and tell you to do this with your mouth, and make sure you blow, and that doesn't translate into anything. First is hearing it in your head; the other part is your heart -- having this innate part of our soul that needs to express itself. Music is not just the black dots on the white paper -- it's what happens when those black dots on the white paper go into your heart, and come out again."

Philip Smith soloed with our brass band a few years ago, along with James Watson, who also directed us on a few numbers. I learned more about brass playing from those two gentlemen in an afternoon of rehearsals than I've learned elsewhere in the last 10 years. Mostly stuff I knew, but had forgotton or strayed from over the years. Simple things like holding notes their full value, playing through a phrase, communicating feeling to the audience, etc., but they make a big difference when combined and put into practice.

Originally Posted by Dale Proctor

Philip Smith soloed with our brass band a few years ago, along with James Watson, who also directed us on a few numbers. I learned more about brass playing from those two gentlemen in an afternoon of rehearsals than I've learned elsewhere in the last 10 years. Mostly stuff I knew, but had forgotton or strayed from over the years. Simple things like holding notes their full value, playing through a phrase, communicating feeling to the audience, etc., but they make a big difference when combined and put into practice.

so you have the best pictures and best stories Dale? That must have been so cool... remind me never to try to one up you.

Thanks for that Dave, that was a really interesting read. I'd love to meet this guy some day. As well as hear the Chicago Symphony play.

A great read Mr Cool....Dave

Thankyou

Originally Posted by coolerdave

so you have the best pictures and best stories Dale? That must have been so cool... remind me never to try to one up you.

Actually, I have neither, but it was a good chance to do some name dropping...

Seriously, though, it was an experience I'll always remember. It was a little terrifying to play in front of these guys, but they were very friendly and were complimentary of the band.