Holistic Trumpet Volume II
Holistic Trumpet Volume II
Scales, Modes and Patterns
As a musician, being versatile in our execution of scales, modes, and patterns are essential to our musical development as an artist; while addressing the pedagogical ideas that help us become more proficient on our instrument(s). As a trumpet player, we may have all studied from the core trumpet method books such as the Arbans, Schlossberg, Clarke Studies, Irons Flexibilities and more. These books have been a big part of my foundation for years and will forever be my GO TO when I need to recalibrate my playing.
As a trumpet coach, I have had many students who studied from those particular methods but as they progressed in their playing I noticed they were missing a foundation in scale/mode understanding especially as they began to work on their improvisation. I have had many students that approached playing only their major scales (maybe a minor scale mode or two) and with only one approach. Typically students would hold the bottom note, play up one octave, hold that note and then descend. Sounds familiar? I also noticed that even when using the Clarke Studies method book students were being challenged in their dexterity and wind flow but not their understanding of modes. Knowing one’s modes and being able to execute them with ease is essential in order to play with the freedom that is needed to create…
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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