Derek Reaban

I’ve always had pretty good pitch. Not world class, but certainly very good. After an experience playing a Christmas Eve job in a brass quartet (about 15 years ago) with members of the Phoenix Symphony, I realized that I needed to really work on my section intonation. I was literally the odd man out, playing with guys that had been in a section together for years, and weaving in and out trying to be in tune. Ouch! Talk about a wake up call.

As I was thrown into playing situations more often with really great players, and taking regular weekly lessons with these same players, my intonation gradually got better and better. I still have the occasional tuning issue in a large ensemble, but it’s very rare when I’m playing duets that I’m ever very far out.

I bring this up because I had some very interesting comments this week.

My Wife told me that she was very impressed with my pitch while I was singing in our church choir. She said that the lady sitting beside her also commented on my pitch being very good. She told me that she’s never heard me play out of tune, but that when I sing (in the past) I’ve had some tuning issues. I guess that’s not surprising since I never practice singing, but I always thought I was right on in choir.

Based on comments that I’ve read on the trumpet web site (specifically from Bill Bergren), I have been singing more frequently during my practice day. In addition, I purchased the TuneUp program and not only have I spent time with it on my trumpet, but I spent a good 3-4 months singing these intonation studies in the car to and from work. I had struggled for weeks with some of the intervals (especially unisons) to get them to be perfect while singing (never a problem on the horn though). I had my Wife try them too, and she was dead on with each interval. She’s always had amazing pitch!

Well, I guess the time that I spent doing this really paid off, because when I received an unsolicited comment about improved pitch, it really stands out in my mind.

How often do you sing your music? How often do you compare your pitch against a reference sound? The better the sound is in your head, the better your musical product will be. I know that’s been the case for me!

Just thought I’d share this experience.

ecarroll

Derek,

Ear training is vital to good trumpet playing (yes, all of you college students out there, it's more than an NASM requirement). The ability to hear accurately will reflect in your ability to cultivate the center of the sound. As Dick Vitale would(n't) say, "it's all in the resonance, Baby!".

I used to notice during my years in Rotterdam that it was harder to play in tune after summer break. Solitary practice (not that I did much except at the driving range) is a poor substitute for playing with other instruments/intonation standard (usually the loudest choir and not the principal oboe, in spite of what he/she thinks!). It's also fun, if you have the opportunity, to sit at an organ and sound pedal notes with your feet while playing your horn on top. The organ can play forever (a hypothetical concept, perhaps) without taking a breath as well. Double the training and twice as much fun (I'm easy to please on occasion -- ask around).

Best,
EC

davidjohnson

i find that when i use trumpet fingerings as i sing, that i don't miss notes.
i do that all the time in church (singing tenor), even when i am the song leader (often...we're an a cappella church). i do miss notes on trumpet, even with the correct fingerings, though

i guess that's reverse from what you-all are saying. my playing helps my singing rather than my singing helping my playing.

dj