Site Update News
For those of you that frequent this site, you are obviously aware it has recently undergone a complete makeover. My web designer does a fantastic job and if anyone is interested in hiring him, please contact me and I'll put you in touch.
Aside from the look and format, I have merged DavidCooperMusic with AllThingsTrumpet and since deleted DavidCooperMusic. Basically the only thing that other…
Wayne Bergeron clinic
I just recently attended a conference where the trumpet great, Wayne Bergeron gave a presentation. I feel pretty safe in saying that Wayne is perhaps THE most in demand lead trumpet player alive; or at least in the top-5 among all commercial trumpet players. Just have a look at his film credits on his website and you will realize that you have probably actually been listening to him for years…
Aesthetics of Tone
I recently came across this article written by Steven Emery. It's absolutely the best depiction of tone description I've come across. Dizzy used to say, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture." Well, describing sound and why we like it or don't is even more complex. Steve does a fantastic job. I hope you enjoy. Thanks, Steve for allowing me to re-post your work here.
One…
Preparing for the stage
Here is a quick little piece of advice some of you may find useful. (Those of you with nerves of steel can disregard.) I have been implementing it the last few times I’ve performed and this morning it really came in helpful. Please read on.
Perhaps this has happened to you; you’re all warmed up and ready to go onstage for your recital or solo performance, you’ve tried to quell the nerves by…
Efficiency through Resonant Intonation
I wrote and recorded a post here at ATT called Musical Marksmanship where tried to convey my thoughts on the benefits of playing in the center of your horn. (centering, hitting the bulls-eye of each note...) A couple of weeks later I ran across this article written by trumpeter extraordinaire, Mark Van Cleave. Our articles are so similar that if we were writing these as an exam we'd be cited…
Musical Marksmanship
This post is “aimed” at younger players but perhaps all of us can benefit from “recalibrating our sights” now and then.
As an undergrad, I had the great fortune to study with IU trumpet professor-legend, William Adam. We spent most of our time working on his legendary “routine” but we also spent a good part of every lesson playing out of the Getchell Book 1 of practical studies. I always…
Lew Soloff on warming up
It is my sincerest hope that those of you who have found their way to this site and are taking the time to read this particular article do NOT need an introduction to trumpet great, Lew Soloff. I am going to continue on the assumption that those of us in the trumpet world realize what a master musician and trumpet virtuoso we have in Lew Soloff. For those of you who might need a Soloff…
On Musical Expression
I spend some time on TPIN (Trumpet Player’s International Network) which is an email sent with threads of topics for and about trumpet playing. Recently, I came across a post from a friend of mine, John Daniel that I thought held particular merit for my site, AllThingsTrumpet. John is currently the trumpet professor at my Alma Mater, Lawrence University in Appleton Wisconsin and a member of the…
Odd-Meter Improv
A recent trend in jazz improvisation seems to be playing in odd meters. I.e. 5/4 - Brubeck's Take Five, 9/8 - Brubeck's Blue Rondo ala Turk, 7/4 - Woody Shaw's Seventh Avenue, 10/8 - Pat Metheny's First Circle to name a few. Perhaps, we have Dave Brubeck to thank for this movement dating back to his groundbreaking album, Take Five. Two of my favorite player/composers using the idea of layering…
Michael Sachs on warming up
While living in the Cleveland-area during my Master’s studies, I had the great fortune of studying with two masters of orchestral trumpet; the great Bernard Adelstein at the end of his career with the Cleveland Orchestra and the dynamic Michael Sachs at the beginning of his. Talk about a source of first-hand knowledge and experience; “Bernie” played professionally in orchestras for over 40…