Brass Mastery – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This is Part 4 of our series with the great Chris Botti. In this excerpt, Chris reminisces about collaborating with acclaimed arranger Jeremy Lubbock, his dedication to maintaining his trumpet skills, and the challenges faced by older trumpet players.

The discussion also covers the nuances of trumpet sound projection, the rarity of certain vintage trumpets, and the varying appreciation for classical trumpet music in different markets.

Notable trumpet players such as Sergei Nakariakov, Allison Balsom, and Tine Thing Helseth are briefly mentioned.

Episode higlights:

00:11 Discussing Album Releases and Delays

01:07 Reflecting on Musical Inspirations and Collaborations

02:45 Daily Routine and Maintaining Skills

03:55 The Unique Sound of the Martin Trumpet

08:01 Chris’ Thoughts on Other Great Trumpeters

11:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Listen to this interview with Chris Botti in its entirety, and ad-free by joining Brass Mastery Premium.

In this episode, Botti delves into the intricacies of making jazz records authentically and contrasts it with live performances.

He discusses his decision to avoid becoming “just another jazz musician” by learning from artists like Leroy Hargrove and the incomparable talent of Wynton Marsalis. Insights are shared on the significance of studio engineering, exemplified by the quality of Miles Davis's 'Kind of Blue' versus live recordings.

We also touch on the technical aspects of live and studio setups, including the use of compression, EQ, and iconic microphones.

Episode highlights:

01:34 The Art of Record Making

03:27 Live Performance vs Studio Recording

04:36 The Role of Engineers and Sound Quality

05:38 Technology and Equipment in Music Production

08:19 Microphones and Iconic Recordings

**Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It?

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**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Today we begin a series of excerpts from an interview I did with the great Jeroen Berwaerts back in 2020.

As you may recall, the world looked quite different then, so we touched briefly on how he survived the pandemic-era music scene, but most importantly focused on how Jeroen keeps the fire burning within, even after achieving so many great things as a brass player.

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

In this third and final installment of my interview with Chris Coletti, Chris shares his thoughts on entrepreneurship, particularly as it pertains to musicians. Drawing from his own experiences and insights, we discussthe balance between maintaining artistic passion and facing the realities of “real” musical jobs, such as playing in a full-time orchestra.

Key points include the constant need for innovation, the importance of self-improvement, balancing personal and professional life, and the challenges of continuous touring. Chris briefly mentions personal interactions with great brass masters such as Joe Alessi and Phil Smith, and personal practices such as meditation and learning new skills for growth and motivation.

Episode highlights:

00:11 The Entrepreneurial Musician

01:19 Orchestra Life: A Unique Perspective

02:04 The Continuous Journey of Success

04:01 Keeping the Passion Alive in Canadian Brass

08:24 Maintaining Health and Motivation on Tour

10:26 Balancing Life and Learning New Skills

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

We continue our conversation (recorded in 2021) with Chris Coletti, longtime member of Canadian Brass, and now professor at Ithaca College.

In this segment, Christ shares the challenges and rewards of balancing a high-profile performance career with family life and an academic job. As the COVID-19 pandemic altered traditional concert opportunities, Chris encouraged his students to adapt to the circumstances by engaging in virtual gigs and remote collaborations.

Now on a tenure track, he enjoys a supportive community at Ithaca, mentoring students with diverse musical aspirations ranging from band direction to sound recording technology. He emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial skills for musicians in the modern landscape and reflects on the serendipitous aspects of his career and family life.

Episode highlights:

00:11 Life After Fame: Balancing Family and Career

01:37 Teaching at Ithaca College

02:10 Pandemic Performances and Virtual Gigs

03:05 Student Ambitions and Career Paths

07:11 The Reality of a Music Career

07:54 Creating Opportunities in Music

09:05 Conclusion and Joining the Brass Mastery Tribe

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Today we hear from Chris Coletti, longtime member of the Canadian Brass. This interview was recorded way back in 2019, just a few weeks after Chris left his full-time post with Canadian.

In this excerpt, Chris reflects on his initial goals, the inspiring mentorship he received at Juilliard, and the profound changes in his outlook on life and music after joining the Canadian Brass. He also shares memorable moments performing internationally and the unique joys of connecting with a passionate fanbase.

Be sure to tune in for tomorrow’s edition when we dive deeper into Chris’ career, including the reasons why he stepped away from Canadian Brass!

In this final episode of our series featuring legendary trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov, Sergei discusses his unique practice routines, including the nine minutes on, six minutes off method developed by his father.

Reflecting on his journey over the last 25 years, Sergei shares how his approach to practice has evolved, the importance of efficient and disciplined practice, and why he avoids long tones.

He also delves into his love for jazz, inspired by Miles Davis, and how it expanded his musical perspective. Sergei emphasizes the significance of practicing 'soft and slow' to improve accuracy and quality.

Episode highlights:

01:12 Evolving Practice Methods

01:58 Sprint vs. Marathon Practice

02:41 Warm-Up Techniques

03:16 Long Tones Debate

04:24 Personal Practice Philosophy

05:47 Father's Influence on Practice

07:00 Jazz Inspirations

09:32 Changes Over the Years

10:40 Final Thoughts on Practice

In today’s episode, Sergei discusses his approach to performing technically challenging pieces.

Emphasized is the challenge of evoking an emotional response from the audience rather than impressing them with mere technical skill alone.

Sergei shares personal experiences of abandoning certain arrangements that compromise musical integrity, specifically citing his father's adaptation of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto.

Additionally, the discussion highlights notable young trumpet talents like Floris Onstwedder and Lucien Renaud Darvary, with reflections on the importance of proper musical guidance and the merit of playing original repertoire.

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Sergei tells us his first notes on the trumpet were “terrible”.

But with practice, he got better.

Seems like we’ve heard that before.

He quickly developed into a virtuoso trumpeter with dedicated practice, and lots of perseverance!

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Today we hear from the great Sergei Nakariakov. We will hear about his early interest in playing the trumpet, which was ignited by recordings of Timofey Dokshitzer that his sister brought from Moscow.

Sergei reminisces about how these recordings, especially a Bach prelude, profoundly moved him and set him on the path to becoming a classical trumpet player. He discusses Dokshitzer's influence on his musical approach and artistry, emphasizing Dokshitzer's honest music making and primary focus on music over the instrument itself.

Sergei shares personal anecdotes about meeting Dokshitzer, receiving feedback, and their discussions on musical arrangements. He reflects on Dokshitzer's legacy and the challenge of performing pieces that Dokshitzer had interpreted so well.

Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com