We're making a Lead Trumpet course. Any questions for our guru?
Ryan DeWeese, top-call lead trumpet player in Los Angeles, will be producing a course on the technical and musical skills to cultivate to play exceptional lead trumpet. What would you like to hear him talk about? What problems do you face when playing lead? We’ll be directly addressing your questions in the course production in late October!
13 replies
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Q: How do you progress from a "non-lead" trumpet player to one who has the skill and know-how to become a lead player?
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What is his practice routine? - How does he spend his time; in certain chunks? (e.g. warmup, technical, musical). What are the priorities he keeps in mind as he is working/playing? What kinds of exercises, general or specific are included in a daily, weekly, or otherwise regular basis? Thank you!
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How does he manage so many gigs without experiencing burnout? Is rest a priority, where you play only, say 4 big jobs a week? Or has he just built endurance/efficiency to such extent that that is not even a factor anymore? If that’s the case, how?! Again, thanks.
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Do any different players within your band ever complain about lead trumpet being “too loud”? If so, how do you manage this? Have you ever have to concede with “shields” in front of your bell, or are concerned individuals simply required to wear personal hearing protection? Would love to hear how the pros deal with this topic, as it occurs frequently in our quasi-professional big band setting, with wind musicians complaining about our sound and arguing for plexi-glass shields. We try to be receptive to others’ concerns but it’s sure difficult when we’re being asked to play inside a cubicle. Thank you!
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Creating volume and projection without sounding ugly!
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I’ve never been able to do shakes in the upper register. Is it just a loose lip slur or something completely different?
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What are the essential differences between “lead“ trumpet and, for lack of a better term, “non-lead“ trumpet?
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How do you deal with a second trumpet player who plays too loud and constantly tries to squeal high notes (above the Lead trumpet notes) on song endings?
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If one aspect of lead playing is to move the air faster in the upper register, how can one teach that concept? Something more that taa - tu - tee? (tongue elevation) thanks.
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OK. A lot of us are probably coming from a lead playing range of being able to nail a D. A lot of us still practice 2 hrs a day + and don,t have to play double (G) at the end of a chart but we are looking for a practical way to inhance our range. We realize that it is not necessarily the physical approach but the head space that we are trying to deal with.
Sometimes I can play a dbl G at the end of a study and say that’s not bad but where is it on the bandstand.