Arbans Characteristic Study #2 played by Herbert Smith

[Veksta]

OMG OMG OMG I just got through the 16 bar bit in one breathe for the first time ever!! then did it again!!! I am starting to use my air a lot more efficiently as a result of trying to tackle this one! Thanks for the inspiration Herb!!

[JoeyThe14th]

bloody hell... i dont have a hope in hell of getting through the whole passage in one breath. what would you suggest?

I would suggest maybe on the first breath section, use 'hairpin' dynamics, although maybe they are hard to hear with the mic you used (:

[HasteTwo]

I completely agree! This is far and away the hardest characteristic study. The suggested tempo is 120 bpm... insanely tough on your fingers. Your tempo seems much more appropriate. I also commend you for playing it at that tempo because of how well you breathe. I can barely make it to the key change in one breath!

[lalancemr]

Nice Tommy... I see you've been practicing a little bit since the 9th grade. (joking) Wonderful to hear you play.

[crowderfan10]

very nice. wish the mic was better so we could all enjoy the performance a lot more

[michaelbme]

Pay attention to the dynamics and crescendos and decrescendos.

[aliceinwonderland64]

I am doing Grade 8 in a week and I am playing this.

I can play it nowhere near as good or as fast as you can, but your way of doing it has given me more idea of how it's supposed to be.

Sounds amazing =]

Also I love the middle section, I drag it out loads

[ms55ms]

very impressive, ur tone is very nice to listen to, although, i here a slight wave in ur tone during some longer notes. try holding long tones and keep a steady pitch... just my opinion tho

[ggggg17ify]

why are you criticizing him hes my trumpet teacher and hes probably much better than youll ever be

[herbtrumpet]

It is important that you play it fast enough and soft enough so you can get through it. Also, it is not always just a matter of taking the biggest breath before you play it. Taking a little less air, playing softer, and controlling the air is the way to get through the passage in one breath.

[jimmyjuicin]

@herbtrumpet

Taking a big breath is just as important as playing softly and controlling the air. A good horn player ALWAYS takes in a big breath, even for a pppppp section. Air support and speed will get you a good tone and to the correct partials. Quantity of air released at any particular time determines the dynamic. Taking a small breath will do nothing good for you, and it hurts endurance quite a bit. Fast and soft I can agree with, but taking a smaller breath i cannot.

[herbtrumpet]

@jimmyjuicin

Thanks for watching my video. There are many methods, techniques and beliefs on how a trumpet should be played, and I think one should find the method that works best for them. However, I think 1 of the misconceptions about trumpet is that volume of air creates range and endurance, when it is air pressure. It is easily proven, based on the laws of physics, that on a trumpet, a high note takes less air than a low note.

I will happily agree to disagree with you on this point.

[franckydap]

how did you managed to do the first part in one breath? is there any exercises for the air supplie or its just air control?

[windblowing]

Truly an excellent performance. This is the hardest of the Arban Characteristic Studies, in my opinion. You do it at a fast and appropriate pace. Your tone and manner of execution are classically excellent and correct. Your range and endurance are demonstrated by your bold ending.

[herbtrumpet]

Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. I did this to show my students that it was possible to this Characteristic as Arban intended. I think I am going to post some other Characteristics in the future.

[wcsuther]

I'm not sure what to say about this Herb, other than that it looks like you shot this video with your phone which was, at the time, submerged in a fish tank...I like it though...

[rdangelo]

I wish I could get the audio to work on my office computer today... Looks good, anyway.