Dynamics
Lesson time: (2min 37sec)
Mike Lovatt shows how to shape the dynamics of a funky rock trumpet piece - accenting the notes and bringing out the contrast between mezzo-forte and forte.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Play Authentic Rock Trumpet
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Creating a Funky Sound
Let's now have a think about the sound that we'd like to make in a piece like this, a piece that needs to be funky sounding.
- Vibrato: Maybe the vibrato isn't such a good idea in this.
- Long Notes: There are not many long notes anyway.
Accent and Dynamics
Let's try accenting all the notes and playing with a full sound at whatever dynamic.
- Dynamics: Some of the dynamics are marked MF at the beginning and then, halfway through, there's a phrase that Mark Nightingale has written as forte.
- Contrast: We need to make a contrast between that and the beginning.
Demonstration
Let me just play it through now and see if I can show you those differences in dynamics.
"Let's keep the sound vibrant in whatever dynamic you're playing in."
Here we go, from the top.
Count In: One, two, three.
I was trying to play all the different dynamics and exaggerate them, so hopefully, you'd be able to hear that.
Practice Recommendations
- Dynamics Practice:
- Try playing those dynamics.
- Keep the sound intense at MF.
- Where it's marked forte with 1F, make sure it's kept at 1F.
Sometimes when we play a piece, there might be a marking of Forte and then two Fs (fortissimo). We need to be able to make that difference.
"So don't, when you see forte, think, right, I'm going to blow really hard. I'm going to try and play as loudly as I can."
We need to save something. These things are hard work, and we need to ensure we've got some energy left to make that extra dynamic.
About the instructor
Mike Lovatt studied at Trinity College of Music, where he was awarded the Jon Kelly Jazz Scholarship. He has performed and recorded across a huge range of styles with artists including Quincy Jones, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Buble, Oasis, Michel Legrand, Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey and Danny Elfman, among many others. As Principal Trumpet in London's West End, Mike has performed in Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, The Producers, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Saturday Night Fever, My Fair Lady and Spamalot, amongst others. He has played on movie soundtracks including the James Bond films, Harry Potter with the London Symphony Orchestra, the award-winning Chicago, Kevin Spacey's Beyond the Sea, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and The Corpse Bride. He is featured on trumpet and cornet in George Fenton's Mrs Henderson Presents, and on trumpet in Looking for Eric. Mike is principal trumpet with the Grammy-nominated John Wilson Orchestra and has been featured in their celebrated BBC Promenade concerts and recordings. Mike is sought after as a teacher and clinician, and is a professor of trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. In April 2013 he was proud to be awarded the prestigious Derek Watkins' Chair of Trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, London. In his MusicGurus courses, Mike shares the secrets behind his versatility, showing you how to nail authentic swing, rock and Latin trumpet styles so you can play any of them with confidence and the right feel. read more