This is
my online journal that I keep not only for my self and to see how much I
have progressed but also for others to read and maybe relate with some of
my experiences. Feel free to e-mail me at
trjeam@hotmail.com or IM me at
trjeam
December 24, 2001:
I received my Claude
Gordon " Brass playing is No harder than Deep Breathing" book a couple of
months back. I read it and got the concept of filling the tank up. Now I
ordered the "Systematic Approach" book and I just got it December 12,
2001. I am still on lesson 1. I have decided to stay with each lesson for
2 weeks. So far I have learned the pedal register. My range is know pedal
C to High E. My range use to be Low F# to High D. At first I wasn't sure
which method to pick. But after reading the "Brass Playing is no Harder
Than Deep Breathing". I was sure that I wanted to go with Claude Gordon.
December 30, 2001
On December 28, 2001 I got to the second lesson of the Systematic
Approach. I already feel that the arpeggios are making a huge different.
Today in church I was so surprised by my endurance. I played about 1 hour
with about a 5 minute break I felt like as if I could still keep going. My
tone was much stronger and everything just seemed to come together.
Besides my Claude Gordon method my transposing got real good. And my
triple and double tonguing finally came back and now I am really getting
better at that too. My range is still the same. But I am pleased with the
way things are going.
December 31, 2001
Hey everyone What’s up? Anyway I recorded a little song that I got
today. It's called Firedance. A friend of mine gave it to me. It's a
Crossmen arrangement (the drum and bugle corps) anyway here is a little
sample of it for you all. Please feel free to critique me. I'm still
working on it. When I learn how to play it better I will repost the song.
Firedance
January 03, 2002
I have been working a lot on my all county try out music and with the
Claude Gordon stuff. I am also working with a lot of church music. The
only thing new is that know my tone is killer. It's way better than
everyone else's. Uhmm maybe next month some band called the Navy Jazz
Commodores or something like that will come to school and give a jazz
mater class. I guess that means that they will teach. And then after the
all day master class they will let us play a concert with them. So I am
exited about that.
January 09, 2002
Just thought that I let you guys know that today I received my Herbert
Clarke book technical studies and the Walter Smith lip flexibilities.
February 04, 2002
Today I started lesson 6. WoW time goes by fast. I am not enjoying the
lessons. It is not fun. It is a lot of hard work and the different studies
take up allot of time. But I am seeing results. So although it is a lot of
hard work. I am seeing some results. Today I went to see the Navy Jazz
Commodores Band. It was awesome. What a trumpet section. They had a little
concert for us. Then we got to go to clinics with our section. John Blount
was just awesome. We talked a little. I might have to start lessons with
him since he is in the Baltimore area. So that is that for that. Oh and
Wednesday is my all county audition. I saw everyone that is trying out. I
am guessing that I will probably get 1st of 2nd chair. I am practicing
like crazy. What a fun day it was today. Well hopefully I'll update these
pages soon.
February 21, 2002
Well I am still doing the Claude Gordon studies and my control in the
upper register has become so much easier. I am on chapter 8. I will
probably end up spending 2 weeks on it. The studies are very time
consuming. About 4-5 hours a day. I hardly have time to do my concert or
jazz band pieces. Oh just to let you know. Yesterday I got the news that I
am officially 1st chair in the county. My freshman year. So this is pretty
cool. I guess now I just got to get better until I'm good enough for
states. Oh and a bunch of other stuff like the jazz band tour is going to
start and I will probably not have time to truly update the site any time
soon. Two cool trumpet songs we are playing for jazz band are Macarthur
Park and Birdland I will try to get them up on the site.
February 22, 2002
Hey all I just got back from Jazz Band. And I was in such a good mood
that I decided to record some sound clips. Here they are:
Arturo
Sandoval - Closely Dancing - I will keep re recording this song until
I sound exactly like Arturo. I love that song
In the Arban
- Something I came up with while visiting Roddy's site.
Triple Tongue
- Yes I know I suck.
March 14, 2002
Well I have been sick for the past 2 days. But I am getting better. I
haven't touched my trumpet or played any trumpet in the last 3 days. I
haven't been able to do my Claude Gordon lessons in 2 weeks Because of all
county band and county jazz band and normal school band. I have no time to
do anything. Hopefully when it's all over which should be this next
Thursday I should be back doing my lessons. This time off that I have had
I have taken to think about the future. I am thinking of trying to go to
one of those summer band camp programs. Maybe that will help me develop my
musical skills. I am also looking into wanting to buy a flugelhorn and a
Piccolo trumpet. But that all will probably be when I'm done with my
Claude Gordon lessons. Well just to let you guys know how my lessons were
going before I stopped. I saw a little bit of improvement. Not much
probably do to the fact that I was doing them improperly. I was done
lesson 8 which I spent 3 weeks on. So When I get back on doing the lessons
I should be starting lesson 9. I am starting to think that the reason I am
not seeing improvement is because when I practice I stop at the point that
I know I can do easily. I am not challenging my self.
March 26, 2002
Know that All County Band is over I am only doing regular school band and
County Jazz Band. By the way the other night at the All County Band and
Jazz Band Concert when I got to go up to improvise during Macarthur Park I
could not believe what came out of me. Some real fast notes and a high C
at the end. I just closed my eyes and pretended that I was Arturo Sandoval
the audience really liked it cause they stood up after my improv solo. So
that was pretty cool. As far as for the regular county band I didn't mess
up any of the solos (it would of sucked messing up in front of 500 people)
I had a solo in Lion King, Strike up The Band, and in Die Meistersinger.
Pretty cool concert which probably let everyone know that I'm not just
some punk freshman that didn't deserve the chair. Now that All County Band
is over with, I have lots more time to do my Claude Gordon SA. I am on
Lesson 9. It went awesome today. Claude Gordon says that I should be able
to hit a double pedal C (or the pedal C 1 8va below the 1st pedal C). Well
I can only go down to Double pedal E so I am a little behind. My lip slurs
are really coming along they are starting to sound like lip trills. And my
K tonguing has really improved my triple and double tonguing I am able to
play some stuff from the Arban's that I wasn't able to play before.
May 24, 2002
WoW it's been a while since I last posted something up here. Well just to
let you guys know what has been going on. I had my last All County Jazz
concert about 2 weeks ago. We pulled out a arrangements of Maynard's "Hey
Jude" and the lead trumpeter of the Elkton community band (my former
teacher) he came in and joined the jazz band that night. Towards the end
of Hey Jude during the chorus the brass section went out into the audience
and we played the chorus in the audience. My former teacher was in the
background nailing double G's and high F's it was great. For this last
concert we played every single song we had played threw out the jazz band
season. This included Macarthur Park, Hey Jude, when I fall in love, LOVE,
the shadow of your smile , Oye Como Va (huge improv solo for me, it was
great), when I fall in love, get me to the church on time, and a bunch of
other songs which I can't remember them all. But it was a great concert.
During the last week of our season we must of played about 5 concerts in 4
nights or something like that. Very little time for me to practice CG
stuff. And then after that was over we had a Marching Band trip to King's
Dominion. That kept me very busy. I had 2 days to learn the music. But it
turned out great. It was a lot of fun doing a parade at a park like that.
After that was over I had 1 or 2 weeks to get ready for the school's
spring concert. At first we only had 2 trumpeters but then one day before
the concert the old trumpet section shows up and decides to play. They
played great. We ended up with a 7 people trumpet section which was great
for me because it was my first time having a real trumpet section at a
spring concert. The concert was last night and it was great. The guys did
great and I got this incredible solo in "America The Beautiful" It was a
trumpet feature song. I will post it up on the site. It is a very cool
arrangement. Well with that I think I made the audience cry. They loved
it. And now I am here waiting for Monday to come ( memorial day) which
will be a very busy day for me I have to play taps at a couple of
funerals. And after that I have the awards assembly to attend to and after
that school will be over and I will have nothing else to do but to
practice my CG stuff. I am on lesson 13 moving on to 14 Monday. I must
admit that if it wasn't for the CG studies I would of probably never have
made it threw all this. The stronger range and endurance really came in
handy during jazz band.
July 03, 2002
Well, school is out and I am done playing for veterans and school. The
only thing I am doing now is church band. I had a fun year with jazz band
and playing lead and all that stuff. I am currently on chapter 19 on my SA
book. I am at the point where Claude Gordon just has me doing lip slurs
like crazy and multiple tonguing like crazy. My range has not increased
any but my tone is really good. The other day I was playing around and
tucked my bottom lip and busted out a G above high C. It really made me
mad to know that I could do that so easily. Then I went at it again and
got a A above high C. Then after talking to people I found out that all
this time I have been using the wrong embouchure set up. I only use a very
little part of my bottom lip. Which forces me to jam the horn in my face.
After finding out that I have been things wrong all this time I became
really depressed for a long time and didn't know what to do next to really
take my playing to the next level. As great as the Claude Gordon stuff is
it can not fix my emb. problem and I could do his exercises and not ever
go anywhere because I'm playing the wrong way. So I started to talk to
Jeff Smiley and I have decided to order his book the Balanced Embouchure.
I decided to order it because it talks about what I tested out already the
lip roll. I will switch to his set up as soon as I get the book. Once I
get the book I will stop doing all my others exercises and just focus on
the emb. switch. Then once I get adjusted I will go back to my Claude
Gordon stuff. I might just restart the whole book again or just pick off
from where I left off before. It all depends at what level of playing I am
at. I will keep posting more often about how my emb. change is going. So
keep reading it might turn out good or it might be the worse decision that
I have ever made in my life.
July 08, 2002
Hi gang. Today I received my "The Balanced Embouchure" book. I put
away my Claude Gordon stuff and started to work with the new stuff. I
started to play double pedal G's within 30 minutes and I squealed a A
above high C. The new set up is really good. I can't wait until I start
using it full time. I really think that this is taking me somewhere.
July 26, 2002
The Embouchure change has been going pretty well. The tone is getting
better and the range is up to a strong high E. Sometimes I get depressed
but other times I just feel like practicing without ever stopping to see
if maybe the process will happen faster and if I see results faster. I
think that the way things are going that in about another month or so my
emb. set up should be working full time.
August 2, 2002
The emb. change is going good. I can tongue alright and do more stuff. I
am not sure I'm going to be marching band this year. I probably wont and
just stay home and build my chops back up. Tomorrow I'm going to go see a
DCI Eastern Classic Drum Corps show witch should be pretty awesome. I'll
update you guys on how it was tomorrow. I can already hear the loud brass
in my head. I can't wait.
August 09, 2002
YIKES! In 7 months or so I'll be 17. Time sure goes by fast. My emb.
change is going good. My tonguing in the low register is getting better
and so is my tone. In about another 2 months I should be back to the level
that I was at before.
August 19, 2002
Sorry guys. I was just reading the journal entries and forgot to update
you on the DCI Eastern Classic thing. The Cadets won. It was a great
night. By the way I am doing marching band this year. I just can't say no
to the offer giving to me this year. The teacher might rent flugelhorns so
that we can play the Mangione show plus I'm playing a huge role as the
leader in the band. So I just couldn't deny the offer. My Emb. set up is
going good. I was on vacation for a week last week. And I only got to play
for 2 hours over the entire week period. I went to band camp feeling
great. I used the new emb. set up for the high stuff. I wasn't really
tired at all today or anything. So I guess everything is going good.
September 10, 2002
I have been having some serious computer problems. But I think that I am
alright nnow. I am working on this new Trumpet Theory section that I think
will help a lot of people. I am going to start going to private lessons
with Mr. John Blount eventually. I don't know when. I have to make sure
that I can find a date where I am free. Jazz Band rehearsals start up
again this Sunday from what I heard. Marching band is going pretty good.
We pretty much have a rookie brass section. But this year I am determined
to have one of the best brass sections. I did it before and I know that I
can train these guys. They are really good they just need to get
experience that's all. They get a little timid playing. My 3 person
trumpet section is doing good. The boy playing 2nd is really doing good. I
am starting to hear him harmonize. The other day I was just about ready to
go buy the Louis Maggio System but then I looked at my piles of books and
then I said I think I'll just go and get a private teacher. So that's what
I'm working on right now.
September 14, 2002
Our first football game was last night. We actually had people cheering
for us. Tomorrow will be the first all county jazz band rehearsal. My lips
are fine. My overall range and endurance is ok, I guess. I'm working again
on a method book that I will post up on the website. I guess that should
be pretty cool.
September 20, 2002
Tonight was our second football game. The team lost terribly. But on the
bright side the new flugelhorn came in today and I got to play it. I am
addicted to flugelhorn. As far as embouchure changes go I am giving up on
all of that and just going to keep playing trumpet. Unless someone gives
me straight up answers that I see that actually work about the embouchure
then I'll work on improving my chops again. It's depressing that with all
of the technology that we have today we still don't have a clear answer
about how the trumpet embouchure works. So many different theories and
what not that as a student it's hard to know what direction to go to.
November 11, 2002
Marching band is over. No more Chuck Mangione music. Eventually I'll
post up the show music up on the website. For know I'm getting ready for
the concert band and our Christmas concert in 3 weeks. I have a few nice
funky solos. I'm also getting ready for solo and ensemble festival. I'm
not sure what piece I will play but I'm thinking the Goedike concert
Etude. I am going to go take private lessons soon and I'll probably start
up some type of practice routine again like my Claude Gordon stuff. Since
marching band is over we have to give back the flugelhorn. And I think
that I will cry the day we have to give it back. The flugel is such a
beautiful toned, romantic soft instrument. But no matter what trumpet is
still #1 in my heart.
November 28, 2002
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Today I haven't done much trumpet playing. But
then again I haven't had much time to have practice time by my self
lately. I play everyday in band class for 70 minutes and when I'm not
playing with the band I'm practicing my church music. Since the holidays
are right around the corner I'm kept busy practicing all this different
music so I don't really get time to practice trumpet stuff like Clarke's
or anything.
December 1, 2002
Today I had to play for church like usual. But today was not a normal day.
My trumpet was all out of tune or maybe I was playing in the wrong key or
something but during the song "My soul Desire" I was not matching at all.
Oh well I guess everyone has bad days. The Christmas concert is coming up
in about 2 weeks so I'll be practicing hard for that I have a bunch of
solos. I forgot to mention to you guys that last Saturday, November 23rd.
I went to go see Blast 2 Shockwave. It was a great show but I was a little
disappointed that the brass was not the feature thing. The sax section was
the featured section in this show. I still heard good trumpet playing but
not as much as I wanted to hear. But if anyone is really into great
saxophone playing I would recommend go seeing the show. At the end this
guy hit this crazy note on the Sax. it was some good stuff. Today I did a
bunch of updates to the sites so go check it out.
December 5, 2002
The other day I went in to band class mad over something dumb, so I picked
up my trumpet and blew the hell out of it without warming up. Anyway then
I just kept blowing high notes and the next day I realized that what I did
was really stupid. I sounded like crap for a long time and my lips felt
weird. Plus on top of all that the cold really made my lips chap and my
lips felt like they were falling off. It was a really frustrating time.
Today everything seems to be better I had no school do to snow. On
Saturday I have 3 parades. I usually play Bach 3C for concert Band but if
I play that for a parade I will be dead within the first song so I'm going
with the Bach 6C or the Martin 7C. They are both good mouthpieces. Now
that I know all my major scales I'll probably start working on my minor
scales during the Christmas vacation and hopefully in January I'll start
taking private lessons.
December 17, 2002
Last night we had our Christmas concert for the parents. Over all it went
well. It was a real crowd pleasing concert. The main songs were "Jingle
Bells in Dixie" that featured me on trumpet I believe I hit a high C at
the end of that one, then we had the "Christmas Song" with vocalist and
the Thirteen Days of Christmas. I had a couple of solos and I'm glad that
I didn't screw any of them up. I didn't have that much of a endurance
issue his year. Hopefully the concert for the students will go well too.
December 27, 2002
It's only been 10 days since I last posted, but so much has happened. We
had the school concert for the students were I basically became the most
popular guy for a day. Everybody (surprisingly students) really liked my
performance. After the shows I received the all county music. I looked at
it and played threw it and it was pretty easy. This year I'm gona give it
all I got and really prepare and do my best I'm really looking forward to
getting 1st chair again hopefully. I'm pretty pumped. I had pretty high
range for a couple of weeks. My range is still decent up to a high A3 on a
good day. My flexibility is really good. I got some of my lip flexibility
books out and started to practice them today and they were pretty easy. I
have a good positive attitude towards trumpet playing and music in
general.
January 7, 2003
The new year had come and new and exciting challenges are already coming
my way. After the school concert the basketball coach for the boys varsity
liked my performance so much that he asked me to play the "Star Spangled
Banner" for one of his home basketball games. I gladly accepted. I have
been getting ready for my all county band audition. The music isn't very
hard, but that drives me to perfect it even more. Also I have been forced
to play the Haydn Trumpet Concerto for Solo and Ensemble festival. If I
get a great score and make it to states and get a great score at states I
will be featured at the school's spring concert, but the thing is that I
only have one month to get ready for all of this. All county and Solo and
Ensemble festival are in the same month. So I'm getting ready for 2 things
at once. Also all the schools in the county are coming together to form
one huge marching band and we will be playing for the governor in 1 week
and 3 days. We will be playing the chart "Sing, Sing, Sing". It's not very
hard but our band teacher in particular does want for us to memorize it. I
am looking forward to the experience because I barely ever get to play
with big bands. So it's going to be cool playing with a 200+ member band
and a huge trumpet section with some of the best trumpeter's in the
county. I'm really excited about everything. I will be keeping you guys up
to date on how everything is going for me.
January 8, 2003
Last night we had the rehearsal for the governor's parade. The trumpet
section was pretty good. I was sort of expecting a little bit more but
what can I do? I memorized my music and everything. And my chops felt
great. They have been feeling really good lately. I was just informed
today that this coming Friday I am playing the National Anthem. The band
director told me to ad lib to it. I have never added lib to the anthem so
I'm not to sure about how much is too much. Also I have been asked to play
in a missionary band for the school play. I'm not much of a actor but
whatever. I'm suppose to walk around stage playing this tune that she's
gona give me. I hope I don't mess that up. I'm still practicing hard for
my all county band audition piece and tomorrow I'll start practicing the
Haydn.
January 11, 2003
Today I started to practice the Haydn Trumpet Concerto and I realized that
I'm rusty. I have a lot to work on specially those runs in the first
movement. I'm confident that I can gain control of the concerto in one
month. My all county etude is almost perfected and I'm going to keep
perfecting it. My chops felt alright today, but not like they usually do.
That probably has to do something with me not playing yesterday. I'm sure
that I'll get my chops back in 2 days. I have also decided to just play
the star spangled banner straight with no Ad Lib. It's a sacred song that
doesn't need gimmicks.
January 15, 2003
Today was the big parade for the new governor. It was extremely cold and
the 3 miles that we had to march plus the 1 hour long parade rest didn't
help us any. But it did go pretty good. And it was a lot of fun getting to
see the different bands. I do have to admit that when I was in the warm up
room with the other 30 bands I did try to show off. I played numerous high
F's. Maybe I had good range because I was so pumped and excited about the
entire event. But over all I had a lot of fun putting the uniform one more
time. Now it's back to working on my Haydn Trumpet Concerto and my all
county stuff. I am also starting to give a sax player some music lessons.
Like the basic stuff how to read whole notes ext. Ever since what I did
last year in teaching that trumpeter how to read music and get 2nd chair
at all county junior band my reputation as a teacher has increased so I'll
see how it goes with this wind player.
January 17, 2003
Today I played the Star Spangled Banner for the school basketball game. I
thank God that I didn't mess up any. I pretty much just played it straight
forward. At the end I was surprise to hear the crowd clapping, I was just
expecting for them to sit down and start the game like they usually do. So
the applaud made me feel good that I was able to connect with them threw
my playing to them and it made me feel like as if I had accomplished and
done something good. Now all I have to worry about is All County band try
outs and Solo and Ensemble. I will keep you guys updated.
January 22, 2003
Today I had my band playing final. This is usually a big deal to me
because it lets me know on what I have to work on to perfect my piece for
the all county band try out. And today I def. found out that I have a lot
to work on. I messed up my entire beginning. I had some sort of tempo
problem. I started out in 4/4 and then I switched to the correct time
12/8. And although the teacher didn't pick up on it I also slurred some
stuff that I shouldn't of slurred. And my attacks were nasty. So I still
have a lot to clean up and only 1 or 2 weeks left.
January 29, 2003
Today I dug up my Clarke's "Technical Studies" book and I've been working
on that first lesson for 2 days now. I am back at playing it 10 times in
one breath. I think that's pretty good considering I'm way out of shape so
hopefully soon I will be able to play it 14 times in one breath or even 20
times. So far from practicing that exercise I'm starting to use my air
more efficiently know. I screamed out a G3 today. The thing I hate about
my range is that sometimes I'll be screaming B3's and stuff really high
and some other days I can't even go past a high C. So I have learned to
not get too excited when I developed good range, because it may only last
for a couple of weeks, days, hours, or even minutes. We'll just see how
this goes. Tuesday is my All county Audition. I feel pretty comfortable
with the piece. Hopefully I can do a repeat of next year. Although I got
1st chair my freshman year I don't feel too confident this year. For some
reason I don't think I can repeat what I did last year.
January 31, 2003
Yuck!! I'm so mad at myself. Today I was doing the Clarke's first study
for repetition in one breath and I kept running out breath. Then I looked
at my self and I noticed how fat I've gotten. I'm no were near the
phsysical condition and shape that I use to be in last year. I have
dedicated 30 minutes of working out each day. If it doesn't help my
trumpet playing it will still help me feel better about my self. Maybe I
was running out of breath because I wasn't keeping the chest up or maybe I
was just doing something wrong. But loosing the extra weight wouldn't hurt
anyways. So it's a win win situation.
February 5, 2003
Today was the All County Band Audition. It was not my best audition, but
it wasn't my worse either. My tone was fuzzy and I almost missed a couple
of notes and I almost cracked some notes. My scales were perfect. My sight
reading killed me. I'm afraid that it's going to make the difference
between me getting 1st or 2nd. Well whatever happens happens. Right now
I'm real motivated to move on and hopefully take my playing up to another
level. To me it doesn't really matter if I get 1st chair or not. I just
want to play. Sure it'd be nice to get 1st again but if I don't maybe it's
for a reason. Maybe it will be good for me. Maybe I'll learn how to back
up from lead and learn new skills of a section trumpet player. Maybe this
will give me the aggression and hunger to be better that I need. Who
knows.. Only time will tell.
February 13, 2003
Today we got back our All County Band try out results. I received 2nd
chair. This is the first time that I've received 2nd chair. I've gotten
1st for the last 4 years. Right now I have mix feelings, but mainly I'm
mad at my self. I didn't practice the piece like I should of. I only
looked at the etude a couple of times. I could of done better on the etude
but that didn't really hurt me as far as my score goes. My weak part was
my sight reading. I received the lowest score in sight reading. The boy
that got 1st chair just totally killed me when it came to sight reading.
I'm not really mad that I received 2nd chair. This just motivates me and
really helps me see things a lot clearer now. Although I'm friends with
the boy that got 1st chair and he's a great guy and I don't mean to sound
cocky or like a jerk, but the reality of the fact is this. As far as
trumpet skills go the boy doesn't come close to matching me. And that's
the truth. But he did spend a lot more time then me to work on the piece
and he really disciplined himself to earn first chair. And I think that it
doesn't really matter if I'm better then him because he took the time to
work hard and I didn't so that makes him better then me. This has also
made me realize that if I want to compete for a spot in the state jazz
band I have to really get disciplined and have a better work ethic. I've
been wasting so much time. Not only do I need to develop a better work
ethic but I also need to work on my weaknesses. My number one weakness is
my sight reading. I don't know how I'm going to improve my sight reading
but I'll find a way to get better. But getting 2nd chair isn't such a bad
thing. It's going to teach me a lot and I think that it has made my band
mates realize that I'm human. For a very long time they have had these
extremely high expectations of me that was starting to get to the point
that if I couldn't hit a Double G they would get mad at me because I was
suppose to be the great one. Well now I think that they've realized that I
too like them have weaknesses and I think that now they will relate to me
a little more and hopefully my hard work ethics will rub on them. This
whole experience has been pretty funny, but I think that everything
happens for a reason. In matter of fact I was told today that solo and
ensemble festival was canceled this Saturday because of snow so although I
wasn't planning to do Solo and Ensemble Festival this has given me the
chance to prove to my self something. I was told that I can enter solo and
ensemble and my teacher told me to do the first movement of the Haydn
Trumpet Concerto again. So now I'm doing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto for
Solo and Ensemble and I have until March 1st to work on it and polish it.
I'm really going to work hard and dedicate my self to music. I'm going to
start practicing every day just like I use to and start to really just
take my playing up to another level. Not only do I want to improve my
playing but most importantly my sight reading and musical skills. I think
that this is great for me and it's like a reality check for me. So this
whole experience is just going to drive me to become even better at every
aspect of music.
February 14, 2003
I think that everything is going to be ok. I am dedicating my self to pay
more attention to playing music and doing less trumpet exercises. Today I
practiced for 2 hours. I did a 10 minute warm up, 30 minutes of trumpet
exercises, 30 minutes school music, 30 minutes sight reading and 30
minutes Haydn trumpet concerto. I think that if I keep this up everything
will go fine for me.
February 28, 2003
I think that tomorrow is solo and ensemble. Hopefully they'll cancel it
because of the snow. But if they don't it doesn't really matter anymore. A
couple of days ago I was freaking out because of stupid little things but
now I'm a lot cooler and my playing isn't suffering. I'm going to go in
their tomorrow and do what I can do. If he likes it's fine if he doesn't
then that is fine too. I'm just going to go in their in do my best. I
think I have improved a lot and I'm proud of my self because of that.
Their are still a couple of things that I'll be cleaning up today before
tomorrow so hopefully everything will go well. Yesterday I also received
the All County band music. We are doing some pretty dumb songs like wizard
of oz and stuff like that. Like I've said before all I care about is
county jazz. I'm not that good of a legit player. Also on Thursday I was
given the music for the school musical Guys and Dolls. I'm little afraid
about doing this musical due to me not believing that I have the endurance
to play the entire show. There are about 30 or more songs.. I'm going to
be the only trumpeter playing so I also have to play all the solos and all
the parts were the 2nd trumpet has melody. Not only that but a lot of the
songs like Havana go all the way up to the limits of my range. So it's
really going to be a challenge. I have a couple of months to learn all the
music witch I know I can do.. but I'm still not sure how I will handle the
endurance thing. But it will be fun because a lot of the songs are jazz
witch I just love to play. Also for school band we are playing summertime
where I have this huge trumpet solo witch should be cool. I have tons of
great music to play and practice so I'm really excited. Hopefully this
year they let me improvise again in all county jazz and maybe play a
couple of solos.. if they don't that's fine too I'll just play section
then.. So as time goes by I will keep updating you guys on what's up.
March 4, 2003
Hey what's up? It's my birthday today and let's just say that this wasn't
one of my best days. It was probably one of the worse days that I have had
in a long time.. Anyway at least not everything is going bad. I received a
perfect rating at solo and ensemble festival with my performance of the
Haydn Trumpet concerto so now I get to move on to the State level. So I'm
excited because it's my first time. I also found out that my band director
is letting me play it for the spring concert. Last Monday I had All County
Band practice witch was probably one of the worse things I have had to do
in a long time. It's pathetic that a Honors County band can't even get
enough clarinet players to try out and that a Honors Jazz band only has 2
trombone players. It's just bad. I really hate where I live. But everyday
I remember what the guys from he Navy Jazz Commodores said. They said as
you become a better musician you get the opportunity to play with better
musicians. So that drives me everyday to become better so hopefully I to
get the chance to play with better musicians and get out of the situation
that I am in.
April 22, 2003
Man, it's been a very long time since I last posted, so let me catch you
guys up to date. First All County Band; on the second to to last day
rehearsal I decide to set up all of my 10 mouthpieces in a straight line
with all my 7 mutes and 2 trumpets along with 3 types of valve oil, a
mouthpiece holder and some other junk. I left all of my equipment alone
and as the trumpet section sat down they just kept staring at it and when
they found out it was mine they started asking me questions and playing
with my toys like little children. It was truly hilarious how easy
trumpeters are to set up. The band directors and I were just laughing and
having a good time at the trumpeters expense. The day before the concert
we had a All Day Rehearsal were the guest conductor worked the trumpet
section out because she claimed that I was showing off during warm up. The
next day (concert day) I wake up and I have a swollen lip due to the fact
that I hadn't played that long and that much in one day so my lips had
really taken a beating. My band director gives me some ice to help the
swelling go down. It didn't help at all. About 4 hours until the concert
and my lips were still swollen up and on top of the that my band teacher
informs me that I'm suppose to play the "Star Spangled Banner" for the
concert opener in front of 900 people by my self. I was freaking out. I
had a swollen lip, my confidence was way down and I didn't even know if I
could play or not. So during revisit period I go into the auditorium and
do some long tones and stuff and then I stare at all the chairs set up and
I get all freaked out so I go back in to my classroom. I then go home and
get ready and end up showing up a little late. I had like 10 minute to
warm up. I was sweating and freaking out in the practice room because I
was thinking about "oh what if I crack a note ext" but thankfully I had
the support of my friends. So then I go out to play the anthem and I stare
into the audience then back to the flag and I take a deep breath and close
my eyes and just start playing out of my heart. After I'm done I get a
standing ovation. I was just happy that I made it threw the piece. Then I
thought about how 5 years ago I would of never in my craziest dreams would
of thought that I would be playing the national anthem as a soloist for
the County Band concert in front of 700+ people. It was truly one the
highlights of my career so far. After the solo I had to run upstairs to go
get ready to play with the jazz band. While we were tuning the boy that
got 1st chair in all county band told me that he was going to play half
of the solo for big mamma Cass and that I was going to play the second
half. So I said whatever. So then I'm up there with the jazz band
performing and my solo is ready to come up and I take my plunger out and
everything and before I know it the kid makes a poor attempt at
improvising the director looks at me in confusion. So then me being the
trumpet player that I am, I made sure to embarrass him when my solo came
up by playing better then him. It was clear by the crowds reaction and by
what teachers said that I am a much better jazzer then him and that was
extremely clear that night. After it was all over I could tell he was
embarrassed.
After that night I received a lot of gigs. I played for a lot of veterans
that donated huge amounts of money to the school. My name was even in the
newspaper for one of the gigs I did. Besides gigs I also got some new
music students. A couple of rock bands in the school have asked me to go
jam with them because they are looking to incorporate jazz in there band.
One of the bands that invited me were the winners of out Battle of the
Bands.
Now, about jazz band. I am starting to consider about quitting. It's
really getting pathetic. Very disorganized and I have better things to do
with my time. I rather be playing at church then to play with this jazz
group. I'm still not sure about what I want to do. I have the musical to
get ready for witch is next week and I have the state solo and ensemble
that I have to get ready for and marching band parades. I'm pretty sure
that if I do make all state jazz band next year that I will not be
involved with all county jazz band.
Moving away from jazz band. I had a bunch of fun Easter gigs. On one of
them I had the chance to play with this great trumpeter witch was just
outstanding. The music was loud, the organ was jamming along with the
chorus drum and brass section it was just great. I hope that I get the
chance to do more gigs like that. Some events that are coming up for me is
the school musical next week, solo and ensemble (states) and a couple of
marching band trips. After that I will probably start looking for a good
trumpet instructor and some band camps to keep me busy for summertime.
May 18, 2003
We had our King's Dominion trip the other week and it was completely wild.
I performed the Haydn Concerto for the County Arts Galla and received a
standing ovation. A lot of people were impressed at my ability to go from
jazz to classical. I have a lot of gigs coming up with the whole memorial
day thing and flag day so I guess I'm gona have to look at those bugle
calls again and try to re memorize them.
June 27, 2003
Well I haven't been online a lot lately do to the fact that I was away in
St Louis, MO and that my phone line was dead for a couple of days. So I'm
mainly going to be talking about my crazy trip to St. Louis. At first I
didn't even want to go. But I went anyways because my mom kept on bugging
me to go. Well it was the 21st and I wanted to come early because I hadn't
practiced my trumpet, I had only done some minor lip buzzing but one of my
sisters friend invited us for breakfast and I went a long anyways. While
we were conversing my sister told her friend that I was a trumpet player,
and my sister's friend happened to mention that she was going to go see a
Cuban trumpeter later that day but she couldn't think of his name. So me
being the trumpet geek that I am the first named that popped into my head
was Arturo Sandoval. So then the lady checks to see who it was and it
turned out to be Arturo Sandoval. So I said "we have to stay and watch" so
we went on and bought tickets to the St. Louis jazz festival. Chris Botti
had performed Friday so I was a little mad that I missed that but it
wasn't anything big. So I walk in the park and the first band I see is the
"Webster university jazz ensemble" and the lead trumpeter was just
monstrous. So I stay and watch them play a number and then I go on to the
Arturo stage. I made sure to go in early to get a good spot. So of course
I got right up front and my parents went another way. So there I was
waiting to see my idol and after 15 minutes of waiting he finally comes
out and I'm the first one to start cheering. As he starts to warm up I sit
their and study him to see what he does on his warm up. He did some very
loud low notes and then he did some chromatics. As I sat their learning
from the master this old guy asked me if I was a big fan and I said of
course and then he asked me if I liked high notes but I said no, I just
like to hear them. So then he told me to look at Arturo's belly and watch
how it blows up as he plays, he fills it up with air. And then he told me
about how great the concert was going to be. But I really didn't have any
idea of how great it truly great it was going to be until I actually
experienced it. Arturo started out with "Rhythm Of Our World" and with
just the first 3 notes I was totally blown away at the power and control.
I started shouting into like 3 seconds of the song and everyone cheered a
long. I was so high off the music and atmosphere that I don't really
remember all the songs. But he did play my funny valentine exactly like
Chet baker it was crazy how much like Chet he sounded. He did 1 piano
piece, he played some percussion and did a lot of singing. He did some
real cool multiphonics and scat singing. He ended the concert with
Sandunga. And by the end of the concert the whole park was on their feet
dancing. Their must of been 1000 people dancing, beautiful women. I was
dancing with about 4 women. And I had a 30+ year old piano player lady
flirting with me, but she was a little too old for me. I had a great time.
Arturo did everything I could of asked for and more. It was just a
unbelievable concert. After the show I stayed after and he gave me his
autograph and shook my right hand (my playing hand) twice!!! and then the
master himself wished me good luck. It was great. I'll never forget the
moment. Whenever you guys get the chance to see this cat live, go!! It's a
beautiful thing.
July 21, 2003
Not much has been happenin lately. I've been doing a lot of playing a long
with Chet Baker and I'm also all of the sudden interested in learning how
to sing... Wednesday I have a gig at the ironbirds/cal ripken stadium. I
was called to go play the national anthem for the baseball game. I really
hope that I don't mess that up. And this friday I'm going to my first
private teacher ever. I chose to go with John Blount. I really hope that
my playing improves because I'm tired of sucking so much. He told me to
bring all my books so I hope I learn how to use some of those books that I
own. I'm really looking forward to this week. Marching band starts out
august 4th. So that also has me pumped up.
July 24, 2003
Thanks everyone for all the support and advice. Everything went well. When
I got to the stadium my nerves calmed down. While I was waiting to play I
did a couple of poses for the camera man. And when they called me to play
I had a quick little prayer and then just took a deep breath and played
from the heart. I don't really remember how it went but from what other
people told me I did pretty good. After I played I must have said "thank
you" a million times. There were about 2000 people I would guess in the
stadium. My 3rd grade music teacher just happended to be at the game and
heard me play and he was suprise to see me and hear me. And then after the
game this kid came up to me and he also ended up being a trumpet player. I
told him about the importance of practice. So hopefully I was able to
inspire him.. Over all it was real fun and now I think i'm ready for the
major leagues... maybe the orioles??? j/p
July 25, 2003
Ok guys.. Today I attended my first private lesson ever with Mr. John
Blunt. The guy is a monster of a player. After him playing for 6 hours he
was still nailing some (if not) the fattest double C's that I've ever
heard in my life. Basically he wanted to hear what he was working with and
then I showed him some of the books I had. After that we started to work
out of the "First Trumpeter" book. He had me doing a lot of lip buzzing.
Basically if the I can get a clear buzz then I'm doing things right. He
told me to move my chin more and to do a lot of lip slurs. Actually to be
specific he told me that if I did 500 sets of lip slurs a day that still
wouldn't be enough. So I'm just going to try to become a moster at doing
lip slurs. Besides that we talked about some other stuff like compression
of the air and stuff like that. It was a good lesson and I can't wait to
go back.
July 31, 2003
Incase you guys are wondering how my routine is going, here is what's up.
I've been practicing for 2-6 hours a day. At first I started to do 1 hour
long sessions with long breaks but now I'm only doing 30 minute long
sessions. My whole objective is to keep my lips fresh for the entire day
so that I can play more that way. Before, I was wasting my chops by the
2nd practice session. Anyways, I've been doing my daily warm up and lip
slurs. It usually takes me about 30 minutes to do my warm up and then I
usually spend a good 2-4 hours on the lip slurs. As you can probably
imagine my flexibily has gotten real real good. I'm probably lip slurring
better then when I was doing the Claude Gordon routine or maybe at the
same level. I'm not quite sure but everyday I've been seeing constant
improvement. Today during the warm up I mouthpiece buzzed a double Ab and
then I hit a high F# on the trumpet. But since too me range isn't really
that important I'm more concerned about trying to get as flexible as Mr.
Blount. I still have a lot of work to do. I feel like as if I'm in a
constant competition with my self. Everyday I push my self to do better
then yesterday. I think this is something new that I wasn't doing before.
Anyways, after I'm done my lip slurs I do the etude that was assigned to
me. I can play that pretty good, but not as strong as I would like to play
it. The etude is pretty high for me. Actually it's right within my range.
The etude stays up in the upper register the entire time. The purpose of
it is to get me use to playing up in that register and just not hit the
note but to be able to play the note. It's a very interesting but logical
approach, but hey! it works! After I'm done the etude I usually pull out a
song and play it or sometimes I do some sight reading.
August 16, 2003
Ok this is what's been up. I'm still trying to practice my Maxwell
routine. I want to go back to Blount for a lesson. I couldn't go last week
because I had a bad alergy reaction all over my body. But I really want to
go to another lesson. Maybe next month. Marching band has started again.
The first couple of days were a little difficult because I had no idea
what I was doing. But now i'm getting used to the drum major thing. We
have 5 trumpets this year. I'm trying to help out the section specially
trying to teach them how to use their toungues. But they have gotten a lot
better in the last 5 days. I'm really excited about this season. The other
day I was talking about people having to memorize the music and I said
that I could memorize the show in 10 minutes and the band thought I was
kidding around so I go in the band room during the last 10 minutes of
lunch and memorize the show. When I came out everyone was like "wow". I
didn't do it to show off but to lead by example because a lot of people
talk the talk but can't walk the walk. I'm trying to be a nice guy and
have fun but still getting the business done. I've been really lucky
because I've bonded real well with everyone in the band so they are
listening to me. So hopefully the season will go great. Today is Saturday
so since I haven't had time to work on exercises I'll practice that today.
October 5, 2003
Sorry guys for not posting much lately. Marching band and other stuff that
I've been working on has really been keeping me busy. Well my chops are
feeling pretty good. I feel like as if I have some nice control over the
horn. Last night I heard this kid play trumpet at a competition and he had
such a relaxed sound and that just reminded me of how much work i still i
had to do. In other news I dropped my trumpet yesterday. My mouthpiece got
stuck and I messed up my main tuning slide. It keeps sliding off now.
Hopefully I will be able to fix get it fixed. Also the marching band is
doing really well. Yesterday me and the other 2 drum majors won best drum
major for the 2nd time in school history. In this was at our very first
competition. So we're hoping to get a couple more of those this year.
November, 27 2003
It's thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for. Marching band is
finally over. We had the best marching band season in school history this
year and we also became the best drum majors in school history winning 3
drum major awards. Although being drum major was fun I decided to retire
because I just love playing too much. I made Maryland all State Jazz Band
this year. I'm the first one from cecil county to ever make it. And I'm
also getting a new horn. A Jupiter Tribune XO. I'm really excited about
how things are going for me. My trumpet playing has been strong lately and
consistent. Right now I'm working on the hummel trumpet concerto and at
the same time i'm trying to prepare my chops for the all state jazz band.
January 3, 2004
Happy New Year to everyone. Lately I've been practicing a lot my all state
music. I feel like as if my chops are in the best shape of my life right
now. I've been doing Jim Maxwell's buzzing routing everyday. I really love
that book.
January 29, 2004
Well guys today is the day I leave for all state.. I've been practicing
hard and I feel pretty good about how well I know my music and at what
level I'm playing at right now.. My insanely high solo still is worrying
me hopefully they will allow me to improvise threw that solo.. Oh well
hopefully everything will go well.
March 1, 2004
Hi to all and sorry for taking so long to type an entry about my all state
experience... It was just so unbelieveable and I've just been so busy
since I got back that I haven't had much time to do much working on the
site.. But yeah all state I will never forget, i got to meet alot of
talented people and great musicians... I've been doing alot of gigs at
places like beauty pagents, churches, school stuff and other stuff..
Yesterday I had one of my best days playing.. I performed this song and
while soloing I just got possesed and I just literally started tearing up
while I was playing, I guess that my performance was so touching that
people were just silent and once i got done i heard a lady scram "yes!
lord!" and then i got a standing ovation. it was really a spiritual
moment. Well I'm getting ready to go to my all county band practice... Oh!
I forgot to tell you you guys that this year I got 1st chair.. At my solo
and ensemble I scored a 1 on my Hummel Trumpet concerto Performance (1 is
the highest)... Anyways this year I was one of the 3 people in the county
who got a perfect score for all county... On my next post I will explain
the entire story behind this year's county band..... Well i gotta roll
talk to you guys later..
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