Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III
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Here's a really good read from Randy Adams, Prof. of Trumpet at Sam Houston University that just might help you improve your sound! I think you'll find it an easy read and not chalk full of technical jargon. Once you read what Prof. Adams has to say, look at your tuning slide and ask yourself, "is my tuning slide an example of above center slide adjustment and if so, what do I need to do?"
Also, there are parts I & II that are highlighted that will allow you to learn more about Tone Centering. These are good common sense reads and will change how some of you approach intonation for the better.
enjoy!
https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/tone-centering-for-trumpet-part-iii-centering-and-tuning/ -
Trying to understand this, are overtones more a function of lip placement or the qualities of the horn?
Thomas Moore at Department of Physics Rollins College Winter Park, Florida states: "However, brass instruments that are primarily conical still have a flaring bell so the mouthpiece, bell flare, and tubing all must work in concert to keep the overtones harmonically related."
Randy Adams even suggests this relationship in another article he has written: "When we buzz into the trumpet the instrument picks up these vibrations and amplifies them providing its own characteristic tone color. If the information being supplied (airflow and vibration frequency) fits the length and shape of the tubing receiving it, we have achieved what the instrument was designed to produce – a beautiful, resonant, clear sound. Voila! If only it were that simple! But having a better understanding of overtones, resonance and acoustics will give us a clearer picture of what we are looking for in tone quality and a better idea of how to accomplish this physically."
https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/tone-centering-for-trumpet-part-i-overtones/So I do think Randy Adams in the original post is addressing one side of the overtone function. Matching the lip vibration style to the horn characteristics generates a combined effect on the spectrum of overtone production.
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Did this post help anyone with their sound?
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@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
Did this post help anyone with their sound?
What about introspective practice?
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@Kehaulani said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
What about introspective practice?
Whew, You're gonna have to help me with that one. What is introspective practice?
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What I mean is
1.) practice and
2.) be introspective in evaluating what the notes really mean, technically and musically. -
@Kehaulani said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
be introspective in evaluating what the notes really mean, technically and musically.
Hi Kehaulani,
I'm sure we all are introspective at some level, but if the sound quality (the best sound the player and that particular trumpet can make) isn't there then where does that leave the person? Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount. The first thing that draws me toward a trumpet player is their sound. -
@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
...Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount. The first thing that draws me toward a trumpet player is their sound.And so is the audience. As you noted, the fist thing that draws you to a trumpet player is their sound. And that is true of other members of the audience. So a good sound to one individual may not be a good sound to another (hence the subjectivity you so appropriately noted). However with all of this said, it would be of interest to me, Dr. Mark, if you could provide me the name of a trumpet player that conveys a good sound to you.
Let me start since I feel the person making such a request should lead by example. For me a great sound for the trumpet as I like to hear it is represented by Till Bronner. His tone is clear, and yet he can whisper with it to drive the ear of the listener in. Very effective and this is what distinguishes his sound from others.
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@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
@Kehaulani said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
be introspective in evaluating what the notes really mean, technically and musically.
Hi Kehaulani,
. . . where does that leave the person? Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount. The first thing that draws me toward a trumpet player is their sound.To me, sound is an inherent part of your musicality.
Bach Commercial LT 190 Strad.
Adams F-1 Flugelhorn
Conn "New Wonder" cornet"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."
Charlie Parker"Even if I could play like Wynton Marsalis, I wouldn't play like Wynton Marsalis."
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@Kehaulani said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
@Kehaulani said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
be introspective in evaluating what the notes really mean, technically and musically.
Hi Kehaulani,
. . . where does that leave the person? Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount. The first thing that draws me toward a trumpet player is their sound.To me, sound is an inherent part of your musicality.
and your individuality. It is your voice!
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@Dr-GO said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
Dr. Mark, if you could provide me the name of a trumpet player that conveys a good sound to you.
Absolutely. Music and sound preference is subjective. For my ears, me.
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@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
@Dr-GO said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
Dr. Mark, if you could provide me the name of a trumpet player that conveys a good sound to you.
Absolutely. Music and sound preference is subjective. For my ears, me.
So who would be #2... and I am amazed you did not choose your daughter as first!
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@Dr-GO
#2 my daughter -
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Ok Dr. Mark.... Give me #3
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@Dr-GO
Ok Dr. Mark.... Give me #3I think you are missing the purpose of the post. Its to help people with developing a good centered tone. Not the subjective topic of what I call a good tone.
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@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
@Dr-GO
Ok Dr. Mark.... Give me #3I think you are missing the purpose of the post. Its to help people with developing a good centered tone. Not the subjective topic of what I call a good tone.
Does not one lead to the other? Why would one work so hard to develop good centered tone if not to achieve the goal of delivering a good tonal performance for the audience.
You even said in response to Kehaulani; Hi Kehaulani,
I'm sure we all are introspective at some level, but if the sound quality (the best sound the player and that particular trumpet can make) isn't there then where does that leave the person? Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount.So am I missing the point can you see why that would be?
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@Dr-GO said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
Does not one lead to the other? Why would one work so hard to develop good centered tone if not to achieve the goal of delivering a good tonal performance for the audience.
You even said in response to Kehaulani; Hi Kehaulani,
I'm sure we all are introspective at some level, but if the sound quality (the best sound the player and that particular trumpet can make) isn't there then where does that leave the person? Music is very subjective so with that said, for me, a good sound is paramount.
So am I missing the point can you see why that would be?
My goodness this sure does have a prosecutorial slant to it. I think I'll just stick with what the original post has to offer.
Thanks -
@Dr-Mark said in Tone Centering for Trumpet (Centering & Tuning) Part III:
My goodness this sure does have a prosecutorial slant to it. I think I'll just stick with what the original post has to offer.
ThanksAs a moderator, can we make this educational? So back to my original question that I would appreciate your answer to try to enlighten my understanding of the concepts you are trying to convey:
Does not one lead to the other? Why would one work so hard to develop good centered tone if not to achieve the goal of delivering a good tonal performance for the audience?
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Playing on the resonant center is at least the most efficient way to play. The problem is that we trumpeters do not play „well tempered“! An E in a C Major, A Major or F#7 all are different frequencies. That means that we are always adjusting - some. We do not have regulation for the second valve, so have to accept some non centered playing. Many trumpets also have intonation issues.
Fortunately, fine trumpets do not have knife edge slots so we can manage and still get great tone. Monette talks a lot about pitch center and how we muscle our bodies to correct design faults and other bad habits. I have done a lot of the things that he recommends and can say that the journey involves more than the resonant center of the instrument. We have to reduce body tension in a serious way to really benefit from the resonant center.
