I am a Musician

wiseone2 · 07-07-2009, 09:05 AM

I have intended to speak about this subject for years.
I am not an athlete, I am a musician. I am an artist, not a jock.
I am not, and never have been, obsessed by high notes. Being able to play in the upper register is a must, but not the only important feature of trumpet playing. All aspects of trumpet are important. The ability to phrase, articulate and generally play the trumpet define my musicianship. You must be able to do it all.
Be the best that you can be..........don't get hung up on any one aspect of our instrument.
Do it all!
Wilmer

Al Innella · 07-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Amen!

loudog · 07-07-2009, 06:44 PM

Thanks for posting this Wilmer...how true.

My trumpet teacher during my undergraduate degree was like a father to me. He taught me so much about music and life...and is constantly an inspiration to me. One day, he told me something that I've always remembered.

"Louie, it's more important to be a good musician than a good trumpet player. And it's even more important to be a good human being than a good musician."

This resonates with me every single day.

Louie

Bach219 · 07-07-2009, 11:58 PM

Well said!

s.coomer · 07-08-2009, 02:34 AM

Well said Wilmer, something more trumpet players should remember. High and loud does not make you great.

Peter McNeill · 07-09-2009, 09:26 PM

Defn of a musician:
A person with a trained ear. (Nothing to do with a high register)

Peter McNeill · 07-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Thanks Wilmer and Louie,
It is a good rieflection.

A great composer or a great conductor do not have to be a performer.... but can still be a great musician, and a bad trumpet player....
Cheers

rdt1959 · 07-10-2009, 08:31 AM

"Louie, it's more important to be a good musician than a good trumpet player. And it's even more important to be a good human being than a good musician."

I had the same experience Louie. My college trumpet professor said to me the very first lesson "You already know how to play the notes or you wouldn't be here. No, play some music for me." I must have given him a dumb look or something, because wait a minute or so and said "That's what I thought." For the next two semeters, he taught me what he meant.

After twenty years off, starting a comeback, I started taking lessons again. And the pro that I hired had pretty much the same philosophy.

Wilmer, thanks for bringing this up. So many times your posts remind us of the obvious things that we sometimes forget or take for granted!

krossum · 07-10-2009, 01:48 PM

dig it.

-Kelly

ps - Wilmer, I'm moving out to NYC in September and I'd love to buy you a coffee...

dlewis · 07-10-2009, 11:08 PM

Great advice from my old teacher

07-07-2009, 09:05 AM	#1
wiseone2 Artitst in Residence Fortissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 2,870	I am a Musician I have intended to speak about this subject for years. I am not an athlete, I am a musician. I am an artist, not a jock. I am not, and never have been, obsessed by high notes. Being able to play in the upper register is a must, but not the only important feature of trumpet playing. All aspects of trumpet are important. The ability to phrase, articulate and generally play the trumpet define my musicianship. You must be able to do it all. Be the best that you can be..........don't get hung up on any one aspect of our instrument. Do it all! Wilmer __________________ Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear. S.Suark 1951

07-07-2009, 09:57 AM	#2
Al Innella Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY Posts: 610	Re: I am a Musician Amen!

07-07-2009, 06:44 PM	#3
loudog Pianissimo User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grand Island, NE Posts: 206	Re: I am a Musician Thanks for posting this Wilmer...how true. My trumpet teacher during my undergraduate degree was like a father to me. He taught me so much about music and life...and is constantly an inspiration to me. One day, he told me something that I've always remembered. "Louie, it's more important to be a good musician than a good trumpet player. And it's even more important to be a good human being than a good musician." This resonates with me every single day. Louie __________________ Louie Eckhardt, MM Freelance Trumpeter Performance and Instruction http://www.LouieEckhardt.com

07-07-2009, 11:58 PM	#4
Bach219 Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MI Posts: 525	Re: I am a Musician Well said! __________________ Raw brass Bach TR300 Vincent Bach 3C Vincent Bach 7C Vincent Bach Corp. 10.5C I didn't want to get that ring around my lips from practicing the trumpet, because I thought the girls wouldn't like me. So I never practiced.- Wynton Marsalis

07-08-2009, 02:34 AM	#5
s.coomer Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indianapolis, In Posts: 919	Re: I am a Musician Well said Wilmer, something more trumpet players should remember. High and loud does not make you great.

07-09-2009, 09:26 PM	#6
Peter McNeill Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 511	Re: I am a Musician Defn of a musician: A person with a trained ear. (Nothing to do with a high register) __________________ Peter Stopped Counting horns, But just 1 more will be perfect...

07-09-2009, 09:34 PM	#7
Peter McNeill Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 511	Re: I am a Musician Thanks Wilmer and Louie, It is a good rieflection. A great composer or a great conductor do not have to be a performer.... but can still be a great musician, and a bad trumpet player.... Cheers __________________ Peter Stopped Counting horns, But just 1 more will be perfect...

07-10-2009, 08:31 AM	#8
rdt1959 Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 220	Re: I am a Musician "Louie, it's more important to be a good musician than a good trumpet player. And it's even more important to be a good human being than a good musician." I had the same experience Louie. My college trumpet professor said to me the very first lesson "You already know how to play the notes or you wouldn't be here. No, play some music for me." I must have given him a dumb look or something, because wait a minute or so and said "That's what I thought." For the next two semeters, he taught me what he meant. After twenty years off, starting a comeback, I started taking lessons again. And the pro that I hired had pretty much the same philosophy. Wilmer, thanks for bringing this up. So many times your posts remind us of the obvious things that we sometimes forget or take for granted! __________________ Dick Taylor Georgia Comeback Player Benge 65B

07-10-2009, 01:48 PM	#9
krossum Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 315	Re: I am a Musician dig it. -Kelly ps - Wilmer, I'm moving out to NYC in September and I'd love to buy you a coffee... __________________ “This art is acquired only by laborious studies, for the rebellious nature of the instrument demands a great aptitude coupled with a persevering willingness to become a master of it.” – F.G.A. Dauverné (1857)

07-10-2009, 11:08 PM	#10
dlewis Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: RANDALLSTOWN MARYLAND Posts: 169	Re: I am a Musician Great advice from my old teacher

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