Most people who know me know me as a jazz pianist. (Funny because the other night at a performance, our guide told that she was surprised that I would be playing piano, because someone told her I was a "keyboard" player. Good thing piano and keyboard use the same fingerings...) But I really started as a trumpet player. I gave it up for a long time, and I barely have a chance to play now. When I told Jack Dejohnette that I also played trumpet, he asked me to bring my trumpet for the tour, because "it adds another color to the band." So I've been playing one tune a night; luckily, it's a tune in B minor concert (C# minor for trumpet. A sarcastic "Yay".)
I'm trying to practice a little every day while we are on the road. One cannot really miss a day from trumpet and expect it to sound or feel good the next day. The "embouchure", or facial muscles that are used with the mouthpiece to produce the trumpet sound, are very delicate. I developed very bad habits as a kid, and I actually had to drastically change my embouchure twice. I struggled a lot with the "embouchure", probably more than most. But on this tour, I can get through one tune, and it's good enough for the novelty of a keyboard player (or piano?) standing up to play trumpet and get some pity applause.
I want to get back into trying to learn solos on trumpet. In college, I initially transcribed trumpet solos: some Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, and Woody Shaw. (I think I even transcribed part of a Lew Soloff solo from Blood, Sweat, and Tears. But it had too many high notes and I couldn't play it.) So I'm going to go back to basics and learn this Miles Davis solo from "So What", probably one of the most classic solos. It's not technically difficult, but it's a great musical statement. Miles was a minimalist, but his solos have great architecture, which is something that I find many students fail to understand. I talk a lot about how the "shape" of a solo has to be like a book , or a movie; you want to have something interesting happening, and a sense of "going somewhere", otherwise, why will people pay attention to it? There has to be some kind of drama, even if it is subtle( as it is in the case of Miles Davis).
So here is the solo. I transcribed this a few years ago on a keyboard, so it's in concert key. I'm determined to get to it on the trumpet. Posting it here is extra motivation. If you see me, ask me if I can play it yet. Don't be a jerk about it! But, hey, everything is a work in progress....
I'm trying to practice a little every day while we are on the road. One cannot really miss a day from trumpet and expect it to sound or feel good the next day. The "embouchure", or facial muscles that are used with the mouthpiece to produce the trumpet sound, are very delicate. I developed very bad habits as a kid, and I actually had to drastically change my embouchure twice. I struggled a lot with the "embouchure", probably more than most. But on this tour, I can get through one tune, and it's good enough for the novelty of a keyboard player (or piano?) standing up to play trumpet and get some pity applause.
I want to get back into trying to learn solos on trumpet. In college, I initially transcribed trumpet solos: some Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, and Woody Shaw. (I think I even transcribed part of a Lew Soloff solo from Blood, Sweat, and Tears. But it had too many high notes and I couldn't play it.) So I'm going to go back to basics and learn this Miles Davis solo from "So What", probably one of the most classic solos. It's not technically difficult, but it's a great musical statement. Miles was a minimalist, but his solos have great architecture, which is something that I find many students fail to understand. I talk a lot about how the "shape" of a solo has to be like a book , or a movie; you want to have something interesting happening, and a sense of "going somewhere", otherwise, why will people pay attention to it? There has to be some kind of drama, even if it is subtle( as it is in the case of Miles Davis).
So here is the solo. I transcribed this a few years ago on a keyboard, so it's in concert key. I'm determined to get to it on the trumpet. Posting it here is extra motivation. If you see me, ask me if I can play it yet. Don't be a jerk about it! But, hey, everything is a work in progress....
