Trumpeter James Morrison has a wonderful YouTube video series where he addresses the essential fundamentals of playing the trumpet (or any brass instrument for that matter). His way of explaining breathing, endurance, range and more is simple, clear and highly-effective.
A few key concepts to keep in mind:
- A relaxed deep inhale produces a focused exhale
- Slow air equals lower notes; Fast air equals higher notes
- Air powers the horn, not the lips
- Use less pressure (mouthpiece on lips) to play higher; relax your dominant arm holding the horn to your face
- Completely envision every detail of your sound before you play
Breathing
Sound
Range
Endurance
Projection
Other Sounds
Warm-Ups
Tuning
Equipment
Circular Breathing
About James Morrison
James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays piano, all the brass, saxophones, and…
About James Morrison
James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays piano, all the brass, saxophones, and double bass.
At the age of six he began on piano, at seven, he was given his first brass instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed just as quickly. At only age sixteen James debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Now 51, James Morrison’s career thus far has been diverse and perhaps not typical of most jazz musicians. He recorded Jazz Meets the Symphony with The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, performed concerts at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. James has also performed his own ‘Concerto for Euphonium’ with the Tonkünstler Orchestra at the Muskverein in Vienna.
Other highlights include performing at the Hollywood Bowl with Bill Cosby’s All Stars and Dave Brubeck and guesting with artists as diverse as Phil Collins, Chaka Khan and rock legends INXS. In 2000 James composed and performed the opening fanfare for the Olympic Games in Sydney.
Learn more: http://www.jamesmorrison.com
Thanks to Philippe Kinnaer for posting these vids! Check out his YouTube channel.