Waltz of the Grand Trumpeter

It's been a while since I've been to this forum. I've studied up a little and have become a little more creative in my compositional skills. This piece was something I started to write back in 2007. Then, I only wrote down most of the trumpet melody but could not figure out a good accompaniment. Later this year, I came back to it with an interesting take on it. This piece will surely test the skills of the trumpeter that performs it. The melody skips around and sometimes makes use of an arpeggio that will push the trumpeter towards it's up register (Bb Trumpet Eb5). Comments are welcome!

Audio - Waltz of the Grand Trumpeter

Waltz of the Grand Trumpeter.pdf

O goodness.

This, this, I really like.

I found myself really drawn into this piece.

Seems flawless to me but I don't have nearly as much experienced as most people here .

the sound is so real

i like it

Although I can appreciate the desire to write a piece that challenges the performer, the Bb trumpet is generally rather squeaky and dry in its extreme ranges (although some jazz trumpeters can play very high with no problem at all). The range of this piece makes it rather impractical to perform.

Also, why have you notated everything as if it is in 6/8 time? You've written the piece in 3/4, but your 8th-notes are grouped in 3s rather than in 2s (or, you could just group all 6 of them together). Although beaming them in 3s is OK if you want a hemiola effect (a la Stravinsky), it really does sound like your beat emphasis is 1-&-2-&-3-&, rather than 1-2-3-4-5-6.

As far as the tune goes, the melody is very nicely put together, an the harmonies and counterpoint seem to work very well. Good job. :)

since the sound is so good, the piece is even better. I like the idea, but the trumpet is way too unreal - not because of the sound but because of those big intervals, it's unnatural, I can say as a trumpetist. But keep up the good work!

Hmmm, it'd be do-able on Eflat or Picc. Have you considered transcribing a part for one of those two?

The piccolo trumpet might begin to sound like it has a cold down there near the low G's, and so forth, but it's a possibility...I'd give it to the Eflat though. With that in mind, the characteristics of the soloist's part make me think of Claude Bolling's Toot Suite (written for Maurice Andre, a specialist on the highest brasses), minus the jazz element...Looks like a nice, light, fun piece though :)

Interesting piece. I liked it. Keep on composing! ;):cool:

In my opinion, if you use Bb trumpet, use the deeper voice of it too. :)

A nice piece, me too like it. What software did you use to emulate the amazing sound? / BR Tomas F.

I first wrote the composition in Finale. Then, I exported the MIDI file to FL Studio where I spent about 5-8 hours switching in and out different recordings of note attacks and such using one of my virtual instrument library East West Quantum Leaps Symphonic Orchestra Gold Edition.

As to the playableness of the piece, yeah, I know the likelihood of someone being able to play it as well as I would hope is pretty slim. I'm a trumpeter myself.

The 6/8 thing... I was thinking to conduct only the first beat of each measure and to conduct it in two. I mainly chose 6/8 because of the triplet feel to it.

Also, I think my Timpani part may not be playable because it may require too many tuned notes.

hmmm...

That trumpet part is ridiculously difficult. A professional would pull it off o.k, but this really is not idiomatic of the instrument. The music is quite nice, but my biggest piece of advice is to get an orchestration book.

Besides that, cool piece.

the trumpet is way too unreal - because of those big intervals, it's unnatural, I can say as a trumpetist.

Haven't you been practicing your octave jumps? :P

The piece wouldn't be so hard if it weren't for the high range. A lot of trumpet players can play up there pretty accurately and aren't afraid to use the air it takes. A lot... can't. I found the octave jumps fine, I just don't have the lip to maintain a decent sound up to and above high C on the Bb trumpet... for a whole piece. That is the only trumpet I have ever played, so I really can't say for sure, but I probably wouldn't mind playing this on piccolo or Eb instead, like somebody else mentioned. The character of the part isn't suited well to the Bb trumpet, it would come out too heavy and ponderous in tone/timbre. Since the piccolo is a bit lighter in character and is already set at a higher pitch, it'd be easier to play the part more delicately and with a better touch.

That trumpet part is ridiculously difficult. A professional would pull it off o.k, but this really is not idiomatic of the instrument. The music is quite nice, but my biggest piece of advice is to get an orchestration book.

Besides that, cool piece.

Sure, get an orchestration book, everybody could use one, but since he plays the instrument I think he knows what's idiomatic and what's not. =P

Let's just try and keep off the Maydar, though, shall we? Too many high notes put that trumpet ego out there. Shhhh. ;)

Sure, get an orchestration book, everybody could use one, but since he plays the instrument I think he knows what's idiomatic and what's not. =P

Let's just try and keep off the Maydar, though, shall we? Too many high notes put that trumpet ego out there. Shhhh. ;)

Well, playing the instrument and writing for it are very different things. I don't mean to sound rude, but if what you said is true wouldn't this piece have an idiomatic part for the trumpet? In all honesty, the part really isn't typical scoring and that is a valid point of discussion for the piece.

I know I often ask more of the trumpets than what I should, specifically because I am a trumpet player. I learned a while ago that just because it's possible, doesn't mean I should write it. I have a feeling that if this piece were to be performed the same conclusions would be drawn. The range might be changed and some of the gaps lessened to make the part more idiomatic. Its not fun to see players struggle on parts that you yourself have written, and an idiomatic part ensures that doesn't happen.

Also, "Maydar", hilarious and magnificent word :thumbsup:

I have to disagree with Penguin on this. Given the fact that that same passage is repeated a number of times, it shouldn't be all too difficult if played on the correct trumpet (Eb or Piccolo have already been mentioned) and with the right amount of practice on the performers end. I'm reminded of something QC would say here though, try to write in the 'practical' range of the instrument unless you intend this to be for a particular performer. If anything, however, one could transpose the part down an octave or so (which would remove the highness issues here) or into a different key (which considering how low some of the string parts go, would mean a complete reworking thereof).

I also remind that this is a work for a soloist, it's not a trumpet part in a symphony. You wouldn't see many of the variations on Carnival of Venice in symphony, would you? No, because you can't guarantee the trumpet player(s) will be that mindfuckingly awesome. However, you can approach a few trumpet players that you know are up to the challenge and ask them if they'd like to take a look at a solo piece. It's short, so it's not asking all that much from the average trumpet freak. Yes, I'm implying that trumpet freaks are average, that's really the basis of my whole argument, haha =P