trumpettrax

I've had teachers tell me (i quess I should have asked them this question) to listen listen listen to other trumpet players and find the sound that I want and then play like that.

I had a teacher tell me that when he played people have told him that they could hear "influences" of Maurice Andre?

How exactly do that work. I'm listening and listening, but I don't hear any influences in my playing yet. Am I looking at it wrong. Are they actually talking about the style or the actual sound?

Veldkamp

If your listening to MA and practice to play like him, you won't sound like Maynard. You won't sound exactly like MA either but some sound or style influences will creep (slowly) in your playing. But don't try to be a copycat of one player, listen to a lot of great players and your sound and style will develop. But you also have to practice a lot in that style, off course.

If you don't know how your sound should be, you can not develop to get that sound. It's the same with learning to speak as a kid, you listen to your parents and start to talk in their language and dialect.

W Scott

Listening to great players helps to develop your sound by showing you how successful trumpet players sound. You don't mimic their sound so much as by listening you gain an understannding of phrasing, breath control, sound quality etc.

I listen to Al Hirt a lot and have most of his records. I find that one thing I've copied, really without knowing it, is the way Al Hirt would play a section soft and sweet, then turn around and pour the air to the horn giving the next turn this big, brassy sound. No, I don't sound like Al Hirt, but the approach he often took to a piece of music is something that I found worked well for me, and so I use it.

rowuk

Hi Trumpettrax,
while sound is a very important part of any musical performance, a BALANCE of many factors will be the lasting impression for your audience. The basic tonal quality that is YOU is affected by your breathing, tonguing, body tension and the equipment that you prefer to play as well as everything that goes on between your ears! Concentrate on keeping a balanced practice routine. Try and get to as many live concerts with great players as possible. You will always walk away with a lasting impression - much more so than with CDs.
I still have an image of Mike Vax playing with the Kenton Band in the early 70's. After hearing what was possible, I was motivated to try even harder! Armondo Ghitalla had a similar influence on me. Those images still inspire me today although I don't sound like either! Work hard, get good teachers and keep your ears cleaned and open - you'll get there!
Robin

LFRoberts5

Do alittle search on the internet on "How the subconscience mind works""

ecarroll

trax,

Erik is exactly right. You don't sound like your mother and father but I bet you speak in the same dialect.

His point about being able to "copy" another player is correct also -- you can't. At most you'll be a pale imitation. Listen carefully (!) to tons of music (in all styles) and many fine trumpeters (play with them if you can). In time your own unique voice will emerge.

Patience,
EC