-
Practice
a lot! It may seem silly to say this, but do you really do
it?
-
Practice
the right kind of stuff. Fundamentals create the player.
Why do you think Arban is still the most popular practice method,
in so many countries, yet it was written around 1860?
-
Be
diverse. It's more fun to play trumpet when you can play
anything you want. I tell my students to be prepared to be able to
accept an invitation to play anywhere at anytime. I play in (or have
played in) orchestras (any chair), jazz bands (as lead, section or
jazz chair), brass quintets, bands and wind ensembles, studio recording
sessions, weddings, as a soloist with bands and orchestras, rock,
R & B, salsa, merengue and mariachi bands, contemporary Christian
bands, etc. The only reason to say no to an opportunity should be
that you're already busy (or it just doesn't pay enough- that is,
at least eventually.)
-
Be
a GOOD trumpet player. Once again, this should go
without saying, but years of experience as a player and teacher have
shown me that some players don't necessarily strive to play their
best, or even believe they can! To a large degree, being a good player
is a conscious decision one makes. I remember clearly the day I decided
that from that point forward I was going to be a "good player."
It was in 10th grade.
-
Address
these aspects of your playing every day:
Sound
Air Flow
Low and high range
Articulation (speed, clarity, style and multiple tonguing)
Finger technique
Flexibility
Intonation
Endurance
-
Take
lessons (and over the course of your lifetime take a lot
of them-- and with different people.)
-
Play
duets. It doesn't have to be with another trumpet player,
either.
-
Listen
to recordings. Nothing motivates more than listening to great
music played by great musicians. My first record ever was Maynard
Ferguson's "Conquistador" album. I can still sing every
note of it (in fact, I still have it.) My next one was a recording
of Maurice Andre' playing the Haydn and Hummel concerti. I still have
that one too!
-
Go
to live performances.
-
Take
a chance. (At whatever- a high note, playing fast, playing
a harder piece, playing an improvised solo-- WHATEVER! In order to
get the fruit you might have to go out on a limb!)
-
Keep
your equipment in good condition. For one thing it's only
fair to everybody else you play with.
-
Play
equipment that's of a high quality. (Including mutes)
-
If
you are in school, pass your classes. Be a generally good student.
This keeps you "eligible," if that's an issue. It gives
you the freedom to go on tour without jeopardizing your standing with
a teacher. Being the best student you can be has many ramifications
regarding your trumpet playing.
-
Play
at church (If you go to church.)
-
Own
a metronome and a tuner. Use them every day. Here is something
you will likely NEVER hear…"I think you've been practicing too
much with a metronome."
-
Play
solos that you can play well. Give yourself a legitimate
shot at succeeding. You'll get to play the Arutunian or the Tomasi
someday, but first you have to play stuff by Balay and Barat.
-
Use
Vibrato (but just the right amount-- don't let it interfere
with the music.)
-
Keep
your shoulders back, sit up straight and take a deep breath.
You'll be surprised how many of your playing issues are resolved just
through doing these things.
-
Know
all of your major and minor scales, and their arpeggios.
-
Practicing
only your tryout or performance music will most likely keep
you from having a successful tryout or performance. Be sure
to spend time every day on your fundamentals, even when a big audition
or performance is coming.
-
Have
fun! This is music, not differential calculus.
-
Be
polite and respectful to your teachers. No matter what you
think, they know more than you do.
-
Take
your hat off indoors. There are still a lot of people out
there who are offended by the practice of wearing a hat indoors. I'll
wager that if you go to watch the New York Philharmonic rehearse,
there won't be a single member of the orchestra wearing a hat in rehearsal.
-
Don't
be cocky with your teachers. Again, they know more than you
do.
-
Seek
perfection. You'll probably never reach it, but you'll get
close if you try.
-
Admit
your mistakes. It's not always the other guy.
-
Do
it again, only better. Practice may not make perfect, but
good practice helps you improve.
-
Pop
your valves-- in rhythm!