Holistic Trumpet Volume III
Holistic Trumpet Volume III
Chord Studies-Diminished & Whole Tone
When thinking about playing over changes we can sometimes overthink the changes, or we might have learned a “LICK” that we want to use to navigate the music. It’s important to understand that music is music no matter what genre or setting. We must have a grasp on our instrument that we are using to communicate with so our ideas come out with ease to the listener and those we create with. I am forever a student of the music, and I wanted to create a simple way we could incorporate learning what I deem as the basic and most functional chords we encounter in music while still addressing the needs of a trumpeter as it pertains to Range, Flexibility, Dexterity and Aurally.
These particular studies are also great for any student on any instrument. I have found that working with my trumpet students on dissecting changes and harmonies within our western music they struggled with basic chord understanding. These exercises are designed to navigate the many different types of chords we use in our music, whether it pertains to Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, R&B, Soul etc.
These exercises all start on the 7th scale degree that the chord pertains to in order to help us begin to HEAR the chord from a different perspective. In doing this you will then begin to approach your improvisation from a different perspective and also have the ability to approach reading and seeing these harmonies within written music as well. I also moved from the circle of 4ths and moved through the exercises in whole steps.
* This is a digital download - you will receive an email with a link that is active for 24 hours after your first download. *
In my series, Holistic Trumpet, I dive into trumpet pedagogy, theory/harmony, sound and the exploration of the mind and body as it pertains to aligning with the trumpet. I have spent 36 years studying music and using the trumpet as my main tool for musical exploration. Of those 36 years, I have spent 25 of those years as an instructor/coach, as an ensemble director, clinician and a musical director. In this three part series I share my experiences, knowledge and insight on what has helped me become a successful musician and what I have used to coach my students.
The trumpet can be an unforgiving instrument at times. We have to accept the fact that playing the trumpet is a very physical activity, yet it produces such a beautiful sound when our minds and our bodies are in sync. I have developed exercises and a practice routine that has worked for me throughout my career. To say I haven’t been influenced by other trumpet methods such as the Clarke Studies, Stamps Method, Caruso, Arbans and so on would be inaccurate. Those methods are a major contributor to my foundation as a trumpet player.
What I have learned through studying those methods has become a launching pad for me to develop my own thought process and approach in playing the trumpet. My goal has always been to develop an approach and a routine that would give me maximum results in playing my instrument in all musical settings, while also having the freedom to be creative.
As a spiritually connected individual, I find myself connected to the universe and the people all around me. Why is this important? For me, it is that connection with ALL, that I feel the healing power of music. It is what I call, True Freedom. The freedom that I get from performing, I also feel when I meditate. Meditation allows me the freedom to let my mind be a blank slate for visioning. It is within that space that I get to explore all the possibilities life can be. I applied that same mindset of mediation to my trumpet playing, my performances and my creative process. There was a shift in my playing that became less restricted and more importantly, there was an acceptance of ME. I finally had found MY sound, MY style, MY whole self as an artist.
Freedom is what I believe we are striving for. Whether we say it out loud or not, we all want to live life with less stress and more living. That is why I created this series of studies and shared my life experiences as an artist. My goal is to share all I can with you and in the process move you into your higher self.
Enjoy the journey of self exploration and the process of finding yourself through the Holistic Trumpet.
Marques L. Carroll