EriKon wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 1:45 pm
The problem I have with this kind of posts is that it suggests that there's only this or that. Black or White. There are so many nuances in between.
And there are for sure trombone parts out there that are written to be aggressive/heavy/loud/even bulky if needed. And there are also trombone parts that sound best when played as delicate and light as possible.
So my advice would be to stop think like something is only light or bulky and there are just those two options. Those are poles the end of each section.
I mean, I
kind of agree, but I reject your notion that I'm talking in absolutes or that we shouldn't strive to be as efficient as possible. After all, I did say,
Loud passages should be played with as much finesse and as light a touch as possible. We should approach everything with the goal of being as efficient as possible, and playing with as little effort and motion as possible.
I didn't say we should never play anything loud. Or aggressive, or whatever. What I said was that we should bring as much efficiency and finesse to it as possible. Loud, but under tight control. Aggressive, but as little effort and motion as possible. See what I mean? I never intended to say that everything should be played soft.
People often use effort and aggressiveness as a substitute for playing ability. And that is as bad as it gets. It's a huge problem that holds people back, yet no one ever talks about it.
Holding myself out a good example is something I try to avoid, but man, I can play super aggressive, yet by watching you'd never know. No matter what's coming out the end of my bell I always look the same: no pressure, no huffing and puffing, no veins popping out, no unnecessary movement, no tension in my body. Always relaxed, always efficient, and always looking like I'm just taking a stroll in the park, even when I'm playing
fff or high F or 16th notes. It's all about being relaxed and efficient. Musicians will sometimes say to me, "You make it seem so effortless." And, to me, that's the best compliment. That's what success looks like.
Also, I do believe that when it comes to mastering the trombone, less is more. Less effort, less wasted motion, less movement of the embouchure, etc. It should all be done with mindfulness, efficiency and finesse IMHO. Even Mahler. Even funk. Even rock 'n roll. It's about being under control and using no more movement/muscles/effort than is necessary. "As efficient as possible," as I said multiple times. We should never use any more effort, movement, or whatever than is absolutely necessary to play the music.
I'm guessing we really don't disagree. Maybe we do. But I suspect I just made it seem like I was saying everything in the world should be played mezzo piano, and that's not at all what I meant. We have to play the music. The music is
everthing. But we should play it like a master. Effortless. Not like a teenager in marching band.
