Brian The First

Hi everyone. I'm a really crappy songwriter from New Jersey. I primarily play guitar but I also dabble in mandolin & bass. I started on trumpet in the 4th grade but stopped when I got to high school. But my parents bought a King trumpet so it sat in my closet.

Now, in my mid-thirties, my wife surprised me by redoing our bedroom w/ a big "music nook" with all my instruments (including the trumpet) hanging on the walls. Every once in a while I pick it up & play the C major scale & put it down. I've always had an itch to dive back in.

At work we have a big summer BBQ & a bunch of employees get together & jam. One of the tunes this year is the theme from Hawaii Five-O. So I volunteered to play trumpet on it even though I have little to no memory on how to play.

So here I am. I'm glad I have a reason to get back into trumpet, even though it's for a one-off gig playing a silly TV jingle. I'd love to hear some suggestions on how to get back in the saddle & get my lips back in shape. It seems that theory-wise I'll be translating a lot of my knowledge of guitar to the trumpet (even though transposing is a bitch for me).

Personally, I listen to either rock or jazz. My favorite trumpet player is Dave Douglas, I've seen him several times in NYC. About 10 years ago, I attended an improvisation workshop that he ran. What a great, humble guy.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling intro. Thanks!

- Brian

Jimi Michiel

Brian-

Welcome! You're one step ahead of the game--I teach a lot of beginners and it's a frustrating thing to learn/teach an instrument AND basic musical fundamentals. You've already got a grip on half of that, so let your musicianship guide your trumpet playing.

-Jimi

gglassmeyer

Hawaii 50 - hopefully the drummer is good. Book em' Dano!

Welcome

veery715

So what is the instumentation for your 5 Oh jam? I think you need to figure out what key you're going to be playing in ASAP.

You can download the theme at:
http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/50theme.wav

Brian The First

Thanks for the responses guys, I appreciate it.

Jimi, that's good to hear. My ear isn't perfect but I'm able to figure out tunes on guitar & then write it out on the sheet music. I think I'm going to invent a Bb guitar to make life easier for me.

Glassmeyer, YES! The drummer if very good so thankfully he'll be able to hold us together.

Veery, the band is drums, bass, 2 guitars & a keyboard. The party isn't until early September but yes, I need to get the details sooner rather than later. And thanks for the WAV... I was waiting for someone to burn me the track.

More than anything this is just an excuse to pick up the trumpet again. Having two young kids, I don't get much time to make music but this tune will be a fun way to get to know my horn again. And my kids love it (their 3 & 5)... my wife, that's another story.

RGood

Congrats on the reunion with the horn! And don't forget - you aren't too far from Rowan University with the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies there in NJ!!!!

The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies

With the young children - good luck finding practice time - and you may want to invest in a practice mute so you can play during the family quiet times....

administrator

Welcome Brian