It just came to my mind that trumpet players from between 04 to 06 have referred to themselves as "Last of a Dying Breed" quoting it on their webpages, getting it on shirts as if they represent this Dying breed proudly. I created this topic to address this quotation as a way of Reviving the breed. or upper-brass altogether. especially within marching band
You might be laughing, but i'm serious. from the time I was in band. I've seen people who started out on Trumpet and switching to an instrument of the lower brass class. I myself started out trying to play trumpet but was switched over to Sousaphone because i wasn't progressing. when I did get on tuba, I stuck to it. and was the only instrument I'd officially played during my career in band. although I did use a baritone on occasion to learn parts had no secondary instruments.
With that being said, I brought this all up because in todays time. no matter the size of the band, IMO Trumpet sections have declined in marching band due to lack of focus on the instrument and players. I would appreciate it if some Directors on the elementary & middle school start really teaching Trumpet players and asking them to Stick to playing the trumpet. aside from that. I'd appreciate if arrangers gave the melody to the trumpet players. if not. students will lose interest
... now days the only reason folks want to play trumpet is to sit out during the melody and scream all over the place when when their part comes. it shouldn't be like that.
......
By my Sr, year in High School we only had 28 Trumpet players, majority of them were upperclassmen. we were aiming for more.but it didn't happen due to the lack of incoming trumpet players. Yet our Mello section grew from 12 to 16.eventually we had to cut down on mellophone section back 12 players, forcing new mellow crabs to play 3rd trumpet. Not for numbers. but to balance the sound level of each part. having 10 first seconds and 3rds was cool. but it still wasn't even being that our thirds consisted of some of the weaker players.. and aside from all of that. Our woodwind section in 3 years time went from over 30 players to being nearly non existant with 3 piccolos and 2 saxophone players and maybe 4 clarinets..
My reason for mentioning that was, even back then, the breed was dying. Why dont we teach those who are on these upper brass instruments to be great players early so that they wont have the desire to switch instruments..
The Primary focus is trumpet players but I had to mention the woodwinds just for extra points ya know.
Discuss.
Replies
1stTrumpFunk93 said:
MY opioion...i think they feel as if they are the dying breed because kids now do not work either because they are lazy, they question why are they in the band or what is their purpose in the band. or just all three. Most students expect the director to teach them what to do n tell them how to practice...when they sophmores n juniors in hgih school. To save this "dying breed" kids gonn have to work on their own away from the bandhall. one of my friends on tbone learned all his 12 major scales in literally 2 days. I dont understand how it is so hard to want to be better. Start these kats in middle school learning these scales and playing high school stuff so when they get to high school, they can play college stuff and be on top! all it takes for high school musicians, just pick up your horn and practice for an hour or two by urself, Long tones, articulation warmups, arpeggios, scales in 3rds n so on. If every band member does that in a band...they can compete in anything and become the best band....as for trumpets.....in my band, few years back the incoming class had 10 tbones, 5 btones, 3 mellos and 23 trumpets..not even gonn mention woodwinds. still gonn list what they have now in same order...3, 1, 0, 0 WTF is what everyone says when they hear that....it was with this class all over the nation where bands started dying off into another "band recession" once this class graduates to college, colleges will see it but high schools wil lcontinue to be brought back to what they were before 2006.
as for what 1stTrumpFunk93 said...i agree, screaming is not even needed, balence is what is needed....reason why im glad we do not have to go to Mardi Gras n see a 30 piece band try to be like the 200 piece SU...it kills my hearing. baritones trying to play like mellos, mellos trying to play like trumpets and trumpets trying to play like who the hell knows.
I think that musicianship is on a decline not just with trumpet players but with players of all instruments. Sometimes a players progression on an instrument has to do with lack of desire, not practicing, or just not playing on equipment that is best suited for their development. For example back in the day and even today beginning trumpet players are told to purchase a 7c mouthpiece which is okay, but as time goes on and you know that player is practicing and giving it his all and still not progressing, consideration needs to be given as to whether that player needs any combination of a smaller or large mouthpiece with a deeper cup. Now the practicing issue is different. I believe that on friday evening when school lets out, every musician should take their instrument home so that they can practice on the weekend. If a musician is still not improving then he or she should not be permitted to perform, quality over quantity. On another note band directors have to be jacks of all trades but maybe masters of one. I think that all schools in a city should have a 6 or 7 week band program where all directors and students participate. You can say for instance one band director is a master on trumpet, he can have a class with just trumpet players and assign other band directors to focus on another instrument.
I believe it all stems down from the BD and what he allows in his band. IMO, nothing is wrong with screaming (tastefully). But if players (can't call them musicians) honestly believe that screaming is the ONLY way to go, then I blame the BD for not teaching his students any better.
I agree, some of our HBCUs had a MAJOR impact on the way things are done now. Kids see what we do (did) and try to emulate it, only to come up short and accept the mediocre. Perhaps HBCUs need to up the ante and show the kids what TRUE PROFESSIONAL Marching bands are SUPPOSED to sound like. These kids will pick up on anything they see their role models do.
If programs want more quality and quantitative trumpet players, then programs have to start promoting and effectively participating in those ensembles that create such (i.e. wind symphonies, orchestras, small and big jazz ensembles, Trumpet choirs, brass choirs, etc etc) and put as much energy as they do in marching band towards other fields of trumpeting and instrumental performance. The long of the short is, out of all the instruments in a marching band, the Trumpet is probably the most sought after with regard to the most work being available for it (that plus the trombone, sousa, and woodwind families).
To say that the trumpet is decline in marching band is to say that leaders and directors of such arent doing the most to expose these students to different genres of trumpet playing.
Just my 2 nickles.... *kanye shruggs*
RJ1919 said:
Damien said:
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next