The Great American Shoot Out Part 5- String Trio vs. Brass Trio

written by on

In our ever-continuing struggle to gain prominence in the world of instrumental performances, I have now posted the 5th in our series entitled “The Great American Shoot Out” which compares music written for various ensembles and solo instruments to the technical ability of the Trumpet. Vivaldi composed this number (La Follia) originally for a String trio. My transcription was done for two Trumpets and a Euphonium. As you will hear, the violins were much more used to the difficult skips and the outrageous tempi. An additional problem would be the constant playing. Today we continue with our challenge as we…

Required Listening Assignment

written by on

As the interest in Trumpet choirs continues to grow, some ensembles seem to occupy the highest level of professionalism. Such is the case for the San Luis Obispo County Trumpet Alliance and their most accomplished director Warren Balfour. I have had the pleasure of knowing and following this remarkable ensemble for several years and continue to be impressed not only with their playing ability but also their range of music which spans everything from Bach to Rock. If this talented ensemble is new to you, be sure to check out all of their videos and if you happen to be…

Possibly The Most Difficult Record Copy Ever Made

written by on

One of my all-time favorite Dixieland groups was Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen. A list of their successes in the early 1960s would include the following- Midnight in Moscow, The Green Leaves of Summer, Sukiyaki, Hello Dolly and When I’m Sixty- Four. But the most impressive recording in my opinion, was a lengthy (6 minutes 28 seconds) number entitled High Society. To an average listener, the extended Clarinet solo which lasts through seven full choruses might seem excessive but to a fellow musician it has the effect of sheer amazement. The traditional Clarinet solo was recorded by Alphonse Picou and…

More Interesting Assumptions Proven and Disproven

written by on

In our never ending quest for truths and the American dream, I came across this assertion which sounded very plausible, yet questionable. On one of the more popular trumpet bulletin boards I found a reference to a trick which apparently Mr. Armando Ghitalla was given credit. The writer mentioned in passing that “Ghitalla did a lot of experimenting with paper clips, and various hand fashioned doodads, placing them in the backbore of the mouthpiece and other places”. Now I am not a strong fan of placing paper clips in my instrument but the name Ghitalla raised my interest. If this…

Living in the Inseparable Worlds of Art, Music and Drama

written by on

Choosing a title for this post was not easy for what I wished to describe is as fluid as an oil painting, as subtle as a string quartet and as emotional as a masterfully delivery text in a play. From a musical composer, transcriber, or arranger’s standpoint, the choice of instruments in a composition is as important as the colors on an artist’s pallet or an actor’s interpretation of a text. In each case, there is only one perfect combination of elements to produce a perfect finished product. This realization was what prompted me to leave my comfortable bed at…

March 9, 2023, An Evening to Remember

written by on

When thinking back to memorable events in one’s life, some seem to have a special place in the corners of our memories. One such event now holds that special place in mine. The event was the Dallas Blows Cancer Away Concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Allow me to list a few of the names present on stage that evening. Dallas Symphony Orchestra Dallas Symphony trumpet section Stuart Stephensen Russell Campbell Kevin Finamore Elmer Churampi Allen Vizzutti Jose Sibaja The Canadian Brass Quintet The One O’clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas Alan Baylock Jens Lindemann…

Advanced Interval Studies

written by on

The market is inundated with educational material, all guaranteed to improve your trumpet playing ability. And here’s one more to consider. Through many decades of teaching and practicing myself, there have been many methods, etudes and exercises which have been helpful to me and my students. Previous exercises on interval study have centered around the melodic approach to interval study which I feel is not the most effective direction. The reason I took a different approach was to isolate the intervals and in doing so, make the practice much more difficult and at the same time create a more productive…

My Final Challege For The Use Of Artificial Intelligence

written by on

“My first question”-compare the popularity of the cornet in the United States to its popularity in Europe The popularity of the cornet in the United States and Europe can vary depending on the region and musical style. In the United States, the cornet was widely used in traditional jazz, ragtime, and brass bands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, with the rise of big band and swing music in the 1930s, the trumpet became more popular and the cornet fell out of use. Today, the cornet is still played in some brass bands and in classical music,…

Let’s See How Artificial Intelligence Handles Trumpet Related Questions

written by on

Question #1 Who are the top 10 trumpet players in the world? Response “It is difficult to definitively rank the top 10 trumpet players in the world, as this is subjective and depends on personal taste and criteria. However, some highly regarded trumpet players who are frequently mentioned in discussions of the best include: 1.Wynton Marsalis 2.Dizzy Gillespie 3.Louis Armstrong 4.Freddie Hubbard 5.Miles Davis 6.Clifford Brown 7.Lee Morgan 8.Arturo Sandoval 9.Roy Hargrove 10.Clark Terry This list is not exhaustive and there are many other talented trumpet players worth mentioning, including Phil Woods, Tom Harrell, and Nicholas Payton. The trumpet world…

What Are The Five Most Often Asked Questions By Beginning Trumpet Players?

written by on

Young Trumpet players seem to ask the same questions on how to improve their playing. Below are some suggestions and consistent in each of the answers are a common thread; Practice and Listen. How can I produce a clear and consistent sound? A trumpet player can produce a clear and consistent tone by focusing on proper embouchure formation, using correct air support, and maintaining a consistent blowing angle. Additionally, proper care and maintenance of the instrument, such as regularly cleaning the trumpet and keeping it in proper playing condition, can also help produce a clear and consistent tone. Practicing regularly…