BFlinch83

Hi Ed,

When I learned to play the piccolo trumpet, the approach taught to me and that I prefered at the time was large and orchestral in style. But, as time goes on and I listen to more and more, I've begun to really prefer the Andre, Schwarz, Carroll, and Gekker style of playing. I'm probably grouping together artists that have many different qualities, but to my ears, the approach is lighter, more buoyant, effortless, and singing. I always have this image of the notes being silver Christmas balls adorning a tree (or the whole piece).

So, my question is, how do I gain more buoyancy in my playing? I've been working to lighten up the sound, and actually firm up the attacks because mine have been a bit woofy in the past. Would a mouthpiece change be in order? I've always played a 3C on picc but am now thinking of a 7D or 7E. I know that most everything is mental, but I figure a slight equipment change might help.

Any ideas would be welcome! Also, can you recommend any recordings that you love of piccolo style? I just got Gerry Schwarz's recording of "Su le sponde del tebro" and Handel arias with Judith Blegen which is amazing!

Thanks and I hope you're doing very well!

Brent

TrentAustin

I know I'm jumping in early but I'm sure Ed is REALLY busy with Chosen Vale. I know when I've worked with Ed on pic (who is absolutely a PERFECT teacher on the pic, amongst many other subjects!) he stressed constantly about being "vocal"... I want a sound that is bright but not super edgy, and a lot of that IMO can be controlled with how agressively I tongue and also how "hard" I want to play. I can't play the high register the same was as I do on my Bb or else I'm doomed!

I find the easier and more gentle I approach my pic the better it works. It saved my TAIL on Brandenburg last time...

In terms of equipment sometimes on pic it's better to have a tighter setup to let you let the horn do more of the work. For me it was actually better for me to play #2 on a 3C with the Schilke because I could play softer and "cloud" the articulation more. Different strokes for different folks!


Make it sing, and you'll be fine! Listen to other examples of lyrical high register playing (oboe, violin, period instruments, etc) to also help your "aural model". Why stop at trumpeters ;)

Vulgano Brother

I'll cheat too, and add to the vocal approach falsetto. Try doing the same crazy thing in your head that you use when singing falsetto, and use that when playing. Weird, but it works.

rowuk

Brent,
the difference between a picc and a trumpet is the same as between a trombone and a trumpet.
Except for the lucky few that have Bolero or other such monster pieces on their plate regularly, the rest of us play chamber and solo music where massive is out of place (honestly - how often do we get told that we are too loud? Many times loud is the wrong term, the other performers just have trouble hearing themselves and call it too loud. It is in fact often a too dense sound). If we are obsessed with our own sound, we may miss the boat in an ensemble!
I have always played with a smaller mouthpiece (in my Bach days a 10 1/2 E, now a Monette AP/BP5 with my Bb/A and G trumpets) and try to capture the beauty and phrasing of an oboe or great soprano. The smaller mouthpiece definitely is more efficient than a big one and that means less work. I find the horn speaks more easily at low volumes.
As mouthpieces are as personal as underwear, I would never assume that this would universally apply, it is just MUCH easier for me with all of my high horns!
My daughter plays oboe and we often play duets - it is good for both of us - she has to play with more projection and I need to complement her tone and phrasing.

andredub

Another idea you can fool around with day to day to find out what you want is the airstream. Try slimming it down. With a really wide airstream you get that big orchestral sound, but if you use a compact and very fast airstream, you'll start getting that light crisp sound on the horn. That will also get your brain to think about crisper articulations that involve the tip of your tongue alot more.

Hope that helps

-Andre