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| Photo by Christophe ALARY |
r that has heard an album or a live performance by one of the giants of our instrument and been totally amazed at how they possess a complete command of the instrument?Such giants as Maynard Ferguson, Wayne Bergeron, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton? It's not that these individuals were born with great skills and never had to practice, yet more over, they were driven by the desire to play. Along with that desire comes support. Support from family, friends, peers, and authority figures such as band directors.
What is essential for all beginning players young and old is a strong support system. Family, friends and teachers must all rally around the student to help them believe in themselves and in what they're doing! Statements such as... ya, ya, that's good but can you do that somewhere else is not exactly a supportive frame of mind.
If you could go back in time and interview the greatest players, you would find that they were strongly supported by family and cohorts. Maynard Ferguson is a prime example of this! His parents were both school principals in Montreal Quebec Canada, and as he and his brother Percy were growing up, they were strongly supported in everything they did. Whether it was sports or music, they were rallying to their kids support.
As Maynard grew into his early teen years and showed a knack for trumpet playing, his parents nourished this talent by not only buying him the recordings, but taking him to the performances that came through. From Duke Ellington
to Dizzy Gillespie, they were there.
to Dizzy Gillespie, they were there.
The next thing a young player needs is the right tools. Teachers who don't really know what they're teaching can be a serious detriment to a young player and his growth. The right approach and the right books as well as specific instruction on how to perform each exercise is vital!
If you are a player who did not exactly experience either of the above, it's not too late. Trumpet players are most likely looking for that Maynard type range and power. The high notes that make the audience just sit back in total amazement and wonder - does that hurt? Is that some freak trick?
High notes are nothing more than just really fast air being forced through a very small hole. NOT large volumes of air, but rather extremely compressed air moving rapidly through a small hole between your lips.
Sounds easy, doesn't it? It is once you gain the right concept.
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