carteru93

First off, I'm NOT a troll, I just don't post much, because I really have no wisdom to give to others.

First off, for jazz, what do you personally think of this tone, and if you dont think it's good for jazz, why not and what can I do to improve it? Also, my playing, I couldn't find anything REALLY out of the ordinary other than a couple of drop outs and a few muffed high notes (I just got done with a practice session, and my embouchure wasn't in it's prime, intonation and endurance/high note wise, but it was still tonally sound, so this clip is a fair representation of my tone with a good embouchure)

SO, what can I do to improve my tone and or playing? I know it's a vague question, but I'm just looking for general tips. Oh, and this was recorded through a Rode NT1 with an ART tube preamp.

And please no "get a teacher" comments, please. I don't have a private teacher, but during the school year, I "almost" do...meaning my jazz director, who I'm pretty close with, is a very accomplished trumpet player, and he helps me with most questions I have, but I'm looking for some outside opinions.

Thanks in advance to anyone who helps

http://www.mediafire.com/?wj0zgaohtj5

carteru93

And I assure you the file is safe. It's about 3 minutes long in MP3 format, and has no viruses.

s.coomer

Since you are choosing to learn trumpet the hard way, you have lots of hard frustrating work ahead of you. First it sounds as though you need to work on your air, lots and lots of long tones, lip flexibility studies, and an Arban book. I would also suggest lot's of embouchure work. There really is an easier way, but you don't choose to go that way.

carteru93

The easier way being to get a teacher right? The way I see it however, with my director, is basically a private teacher (he does do private lessons, but that's not something I can afford). I can go to him if ever I have a problem with playing, or want to learn something new, or am frustrated with something. That is pretty much what a private teacher is, someone to help you improve faster than on your own, and I'm getting "private lessons" with him, but just not on a regular basis, just when I'm having a problem with something, and he knows 99% of the time how to correct it, seeing as he IS a teacher.

Brekelefuw

I don't know how I feel about labelling things 'jazz tone' and classical tone etc. A good tone is a good tone. The people who can really play can play with a great tone, but also add their personality to it.
Work on long tones to center your sound. It sounds like you are abover center the whole time.
Also slow down whatever you are playing and really focus on articulation and making every note count. Your accuracy needs work.

Once you really get the fundamentals down, work on your swing feel and time feel.

__________________
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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~Aldous Huxley

carteru93

Also, to address your other comment, I don't own the Arban book, but my director put together a package for me containing: long tones (from staff C to above staff G), slurred harmonics (from low G# to high F), lip flexibilities (E C E C E C E C B D# B D# B D# B D#, etc in 8th notes at 150bpm), tongue setup (quarters, then eighths, triplets, 16ths on one note, then changing notes), then all the scales I could ever want to learn, and more. I practice through this package almost exclusively once every day. These pages are all excerpts from the Don Johnson book, and he has shown me how to play them properly, to get the most out of them and so as not to hurt my self.

carteru93

And for anyone wondering, these exercises are on page 15, 17, 27, and 33 of the Don Johnson Book.

Brekelefuw

Don's book is what I use the most when I practice the core fundamentals. He really hits the nail on the head. I am glad your teacher uses that book.

The most important thing in that book that helped me were the long tone exercises. The one where you play C for 6 beats, then B for 5 and take one beat breath, then do B to Bb etc at 60bpm. You also don't use tongue, instead you use air attacks. Doing these every day helped my pitch center, tone, breath control and time because of the bloody metronome ticking relentlessly.

__________________
Schilke B3L
Schilke XA1
Bach 37 180 ML
Chinese custom horn
Yamaha 6310G
Wedge 5B, 5A and 5FLG

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~Aldous Huxley

carteru93

That's the one! Then it goes to 6 beats, then 6 beats with 2 rests @ 52bpm. Also has a crescendo on the first note, and a decrescendo on the second note.

Bob Grier

You have a good basic sound, fine for jazz. Not suitable for classical at this time. It's a little breathy but suitable for jazz. the main issues I hear are normal for young players, basically a lack of embouchure development. Your current teacher will be able to help develop your embouchure so that your playing improves.

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Bob Grier, An Old Pro
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bgrierjr@triad.rr.com
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