From time to time, I remember this "eureka moment" that happened when I was in college....
The year was probably 2000. I was in the college weight room on a Friday night. Not many folks were in there pumping iron, so it was a leisurely workout for those who were present. Among those present was a gent I'll call Jon (yes, I actually forget what his name was). Jon was a bulked-up, fit, iron man who lifted weights like it was his job. However, having known his personality from the few classes I was in with him, I knew him as a sensitive, thoughtful and approachable guy, despite his macho looks. In the weight room, there is a CD player that was connected to the room's speakers. If you arrived at the weight room early enough, you could be the lucky person who plays your CD for all to hear. As I began my workout, I began to actually listen to the music that was currently being played over the speakers. Thundering percussion, triumphant brass: very epic sounding. And orchestral. And very odd for this room, which only seemed to have strident punk and metal music playing most of the time. I stopped my workout for a moment, and met eyes with Jon. "Hey," I called out over the sound of the battery, pointing to the CD player. "What is this? Is this yours?" "Yeah, man!" He smiled. "This is the soundtrack to the movie 'Gladiator'." It was my turn to smile. "Oh?" "Yeah, I always workout to it. It's get me PUMPED!" And as I listened more to it, I had to agree. It was chock-ful of fanfares, loud rhythmic percussion, and tunes that sounded like they accompanied a massive fight scene. Conclusion: I would've NEVER thought that this heavy weight Adonis would ever have chosen the soundtrack to "Gladiator" to accompany his workout routine. Since then, I have challenged myself to never assume anything about people's preferences of musical styles. I urge all of you to do the same: you'd be surprised! I know I was.
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I have just finished playing trumpet 1 for "Sweeney Todd" and am now gearing up to tackle the trumpet 1/flugelhorn book for "Legally Blonde." Talk about two shows that could not be more different, both in style and approach.
"Sweeney" is driven by the woodwinds and reeds, and the brass is just there for color and some hits. It was a "low impact" book, which is somewhat rare in musical theater these days for trumpeters. But I didn't mind the change of pace one bit. One horn (my B flat trumpet) and 2 mutes (straight mute and harmon mute): that's it. "Legally Blonde", however, is a fairly busy show for the trumpet, doubles flugelhorn, and uses three mute (straight, cup, and harmon- with stem in and out). The first hurdle of this score is the rhythm. Lots of rock 'n roll/pop rhythms. Nothing insurmountable, but it's still something that keeps you on your toes. Second, the range. Yikes. For shows like this (that keep the trumpet in the stratosphere), I hit range exercises pretty hard to "train" my lip. I use (and recommend) the book "Advanced Lip Flexibilities" by Dr. Charles Colin. Great variety of exercises that kick your butt (in a good way). Despite all of these obstacles, I secretly love the challenge that "Legally Blonde" poses! It drives me to practice more, to practice different techniques, to build up my endurance and range, and, ultimately (and hopefully), to become a better musician. Never. I'm going to go out on a limb and state that any of your favorite songs are your favorite because of the musical arrangement of the piece.
I'm speaking of how a tune is put together, which instruments are assigned to what note(s), and the overall feel and flow of the tune. And this goes for any genre. It doesn't matter if one instrument is used or one hundred. It's how you want your listener to hear the tune you are presenting. I've had the opportunity to play some really great (and some not-so-great) arrangements. Arranging as a musical art form seems to be dwindling, with only a handful of current greats out there (James Swearingen and Joel McNeely come to mind). If you plan on pursuing arranging, I urge you to listen and study up. Knowing the strengths and limitations of each instrument is important in making the song sound effortless. Your listeners (and performers) will love you for it ! Elaine Stritch, unflappable star of stage, TV, and film, passed away yesterday, 89 years young. Stephen Sondheim recounts an amusing anecdote playwright George Furth had shared with him. "They [Furth and Stritch] had entered a bar at two in the morning and Elaine, well-oiled, had murmured to the bartender in passing, 'Just give me a bottle of vodka and a floor plan.' " Here are more of some of her great quotations: -"I don't know what the hell I'm doing up there half the time. These performers that go on about their technique and craft – oh, puleeze! How boring! I don't know what technique means. But I do know what experience is. I know in my gut when I've done a scene right." -“I will say this up front: I love to drink. I love booze so much that it scares the hell out of me.” -"Enough of this total abstinence nonsense. Control: that's the operative word. Two drinks a day. On or off stage. Two drinks a day. Two drinks a day: it doesn't work. Not when you want eleven. And not when you start shopping for wineglasses in the vase department at Bloomingdale's." -“I was reading [a self-help book] yesterday and it said: ‘Make your own bed.’ I said to the book: ‘F___ you! I don’t have to make my own bed! That’s why I live at the Carlyle.’" -"All you have to do is say, "I'm going home'" and you're the most popular girl at the party." -"This age thing is all up to you. It's like happiness is up to you. You just have to understand what it is before you get it." Jerry Seinfeld's (and my) favorite story about show business goes something like this: One cold winter's day, the members of the Glenn Miller Orchestra are on their way to a gig when their bus breaks down. So the musicians grab their instruments and start walking. Before long, they come across a cozy little house. Inside, a family is sitting around the dinner table, talking, laughing, clearly enjoying each other's company. The band members are damp and shivering as they gaze at this idyllic Norman Rockwell scene. Finally, one of the musicians turns to another and asks: "How do people live like that?" I'm writing this blog entry to laud the praises and talents of an amazing jazz musician. No, I'm not speaking of Buddy Rich, Glenn Miller or even Louis Armstrong. I'm speaking of Seth MacFarlane. I know what you're thinking: "Isn't he the guy who created and voices characters on that crude cartoon comedy Family Guy?" You would be correct. But I'm here to assure you that he is so much more. Yes, MacFarlane is a voice-actor, animator, screenwriter, and whatever the heck else Wikipedia claims he is. But his musical prowess is what compels me to write this. Through a series of informational searches (i.e.- surfin' the web), I stumbled on his big band album, Music is Better Than Words. And purchased it on iTunes. And loved it. The album is more than Seth singing Sinatra-ish arranged tunes of old, (some) slightly obscure standards. It's an ode to a simpler and swingin' time when a party that served alcohol was called a 'cocktail party', and "Honey, I'm home" was a common phrase in the American household. Armed with conductor Joel McNeely (go ahead: google him), "The Frank" (the Neuman U47 mic that Sinatra often used), and the most awesomingly-assembled orchestra (lead trumpet = Wayne Bergeron, drums = Peter Erskine...need I say more?), Mr. MacFarlane sings his way easily through these tunes like he was born to do just that. His vocal control, dead-on pitch and interpretation (and emulation) is uncanny for a man known to the general public as the voice of Peter Griffin (a fat slob), Quagmire (a womanizer), Brian Griffin (a doggie drunk), and Stewie (an infant bent on world domination). Music is Better Than Words destroys all those stereotypical thoughts you may have had about MacFarlane and presents us with a mature, versatile jazz musician who approaches music seriously. I hope I've piqued your curiosity to check out his album. And kudos and thanks to you, Seth, for giving us an album containing pure "crooner jazz" in a time where this type of music is few and far between. Tonight, I'm playing trumpet/percussion in the "Gobbleapocalypse" music event at Johnny Brenda's with Mercury Radio Theater. Interludes between our songs will feature an original video game (in the vein of Super Mario Bros) and starring our late friend, Dan Krawiec. Created by graphic designers Sal Iaccarino and Greg Lytle, "Super Dantist" (one of Dan's nicknames) goes on various adventures to save the day, all accompanied by 8-bit music by Mercury Radio Theater. You just have to experience it to believe it. You can find the original "Super Dantist" video here: http://vimeo.com/46317317. I'll be thinkin' about you tonight, Dan!!! Conductors/Music directors...watch yourselves! I'm talking about referring to your orchestra or cast. I've known conductors refer to their orchestra as musicians, and the cast as vocalists. True, the pit orchestra is composed of musicians, but the cast of singers are musicians, too!! Maybe try referring to the orchestra as instrumentalists and the cast as vocalists or singers. Just sayin' :).
Yes, ladies and gentlemen- my first blog ever. In my ongoing musical journey, I've come across some unique -- and often eye-opening and life-changing -- experiences, and I feel the need to share them with you, the reader!
So, thank you for visiting my website and for reading my humble ramblings. I LOVE MUSIC. There: I said it. I am completely crazy about it. And not just one form of it (though I am partial to musical theater and jazz), but all styles and genres. It's what makes me tick and keeps me going. It's what makes me "me." I love the way it all fits together, the way it's created, but most importantly, the way it evokes feelings and emotions and moves us. I know that there are others out there that will either disagree or have different stances towards music...and that is what's great about it! Everyone hears and perceives music in different ways, and you know what? We are all correct and we all receive a gold star for the day. Congratulations! Recently, at a gig, I had another epiphany about music. Music is something you have to throw your entire "self" into. Pardon my language, but you can't just "half-ass" it, especially in a field as competitive as music. Whether you are a vocalist or an instrumentalist, you need to commit and "surrender" to music. It is this discipline that turns amateur musicians into professionals and masters of their craft. I will be the first to admit I am guilty of not practicing and/or composing as much as I should. However, the thing about music is that it always comes back and wakes me up, saying "Remember me? Don't neglect me! Shape up and get in gear!" I'm sure I'll be speaking of this in later blogs, so stay tuned. Once again, thanks for viewing and reading, and I hope that you will enjoy my thoughts and rants! Ciao (for now)! -C |
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