If I were asked to name just one area most trumpet players seem to request assistance, it would overwhelmingly be high range playing. Every player seems to be consumed with this area of their playing. This is true even with players who are able to easily play well above high C. Range ability seems to be similar to a person’s opinion of their weight. They want to lose weight but are not dedicated enough to do anything about it.
Another area which seems to be a problem with many players is endurance. Usually these are the players who are working. In that I mean that the casual player is able to rest when he/she gets tired whereas the working musician has to work through fatigue in order to end on a big E above high C.
Many players seem to be conscious of their inability to sight-read and again these are more often the working players who have to read down a show the first time with no rehearsals. The casual player has the good fortune of not being in any situation where they have to perform without several rehearsals and weeks of practicing.
I think it would be interesting to take a poll to find out what most players feel they need help to improve in their playing. So……… let’s do one!
What Issues Are Trumpet Players Needing Help?
Indicate below the areas you would most like to improve in your trumpet playing.
Most important– 1
Important but not essential– 2
Might be handy to improve– 3
___ High Range
___ Flexibility
___ Endurance
___ Sight-reading
___ Scales
___ Tonguing
___ Literature
___ Power/ Volume
___ Finger technique
___ Nervousness
___ Breathing and Breath control
___ Intonation
___ Counting
___ Vibrato
___ Lip Trills
___ Mouthpiece Placement
___ Tone
___ Improvisation
___ Shakes
___ Transposition
___ Pedal Tones
___ Posture
___ Preparing a solo
___ Preparing for an audition
___ Playing a show
___ Performing in an orchestra
__ Fill in additional area here_______________
__ Fill in additional area here_______________
__ Fill in additional area here_______________
Once you have this questionnaire completed, please send it to the following address-
brucechidester@hotmail.com
The results of this survey will be posted in two weeks.
Thank you for participating and I think the outcome of this questionnaire will be of interest to all trumpet players.
