August 19, 2020 I Stopped Playing Trumpet!

August 19, 2020 I Stopped Playing Trumpet!

written by on

To my readers, this might come as a surprise for I have played this humbling instrument from my fourth grade days till now. You may ask why I have decided to forgo the trumpet and this is the purpose of this Blog. My decision to change comes from several different reasons and I will share with you those reasons. 1.Due to my heart attack several years ago, I was not able to get back my full vital capacity of air which, as we all know is important to a wind player. The large and even the Medium large horns which…

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 6 “Use Visualization To Add Meaning To Each Phrase”

written by on

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post explains how visualization can improve your performance This again couples words with your notes but in a slightly different way. For several decades I have used this process on my students with remarkable success. It is easy and yet very helpful. One of the first times I implemented this technique, I was teaching a middle school student who did not have any idea as to the art of passionate playing. Everything he played was dry and lifeless even though…

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 5 “The Length Of A Note Dictates Its Dynamic”

written by on

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post explains why the length of each note dictates its dynamic level. Using again an example of a spoken sentence and how it mirrors musical interpretation, repeat the following- “ When I get tired, I want to go home”. If note values are assigned to each of these words, it would be something like this- When I get- three pickup eighth notes leading to the next measure. tired- dotted half on beats 1,2,3 I-one eighth note on the second half…

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 4 “Individual Note Dynamics”

written by on

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of individual note dynamics in your music. Read this sentence out loud- “I want that car” Notice how the intent of the sentence changes as you put stress on each of the words. “I want that car”- gives the listener the impression that only you desires that car. “I want that car”- implies that you have a desire to own that car. “I want that car”- tells the listener that want only…

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You?- Part 3 “Phrase Dynamics”

written by on

Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of phrase dynamics in your music. Most written music offers some indication of dynamics but additional changes in your volume can give your performance much more life and offer your listen more musical nuances than if you just play what is written. Listed to the first example again and notice the absence of any additional dynamic inflections. Now play the second example and in addition to the written changes notice the added…

Why Do I Sound Like Me, And You Sound Like You? Part 2 “Articulation”

written by on

Welcome back and today we will discuss a major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance. This post covers the importance of the correct use of articulation in your music. Articulation- noun a: the act of giving utterance or expression b: the act or manner of articulating sounds c: an articulated utterance or sound The style of your music will determine what style of articulation you should use. If you are playing a march, you need to start each note with a defined, strong articulation and making each note distinct and precise. If on the other hand you are performing a solo such as you…