Hello fellow brassers. We are gathered here today so I can enlighten you on one of the most fundamental treatises of brass playing, that so many students overlook. This short manual contains every necessary fact, hint, and piece of advice that there is to know about orchestral brass playing.
I am talking, of course, about the Pokémon theme song.
This one short text, fittingly set to music, is a many-layered metaphor for some of the fundamental principles of orchestral brass. Now, for the first time in recorded history, I shall dissect it line by line, and show to the world its secrets to success. The divine lyrics are in bold, with my explanations underneath.
I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was
Of course, this should be the overall mantra of the orchestral trumpet player. A true musician does not settle for being "pretty good." A true musician does not listen to their own sound and say "that's acceptable." A true musician strives for a perfection that they know they cannot accomplish, and that no one alive has accomplished. Only when the musician tosses aside acceptance of imperfection, can they begin their journey.
To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause
The brass player will soon realize the skill set they must possess to hope to achieve the impossible goal, but must be willing to spend tiring hours working to attempt to achieve this. Their whole being must be focused into the training of these necessary skills, and to never being satisfied with the level they have reached.
I will travel across the land, searching far and wide
The brass player may be tempted to latch into a single regional style, but this will ultimately limit the brass player, whose goal should be to be limitless. Thus, training in a multitude of regional styles, with different mentors with different backgrounds, is the only way the aspiring brass player will hope to achieve the impossible.
Each Pokémon to understand the power that's inside
A brass player and the player's instrument are partners in a journey. The brass player must become comfortable with their own instrument, and know how it will respond, and how to make it respond in an ideal way, when its tendencies can and will be less than ideal.
(Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all)
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Though the brass player knows their eventual goal of beyond absolute perfection is impossible, the player must convince themselves that, not only is it possible, it is within the realm of the player to accomplish, and is in fact what the player shall accomplish. This way, the player will not become discouraged at a goal that can never be reached, but shall march fervently towards a goal that they believe they are destined to reach, no matter how unrealistic.
(Pokémon)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
The brass player must be totally committed to the art of playing, and any sense of weakness or temptation from the path should be met with resistance. The fates will seem to draw the brass player away, to less favourable life paths such as non-music, but the brass player must remain strong and fight for the goal the player has set.
(Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all)
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I teach you
Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all
The brass player will no doubt meet colleagues and rivals in the journey, but the natural arrogance of the brass player will be naught but a hindrance. The brass player who aims to achieve the goal of unreachable perfection realizes that every individual the player meets can offer insight that will make the path to the goal a little brighter, no matter the age, background, or experience level of the individual.
Every challenge along the way, with courage I have faced
The brass player will no doubt be put in a situation with insurmountable odds, where short-term personal triumph is impossible. This must not unnerve the brass player, but rather, the player must approach every obstacle as if it is the simplest of tasks, and must at all times show utmost confidence in the player's own abilities.
I will battle every day to claim my rightful place
The brass player may be tempted on their journey to suspend the search for knowledge and skills, but the true brass player realizes that, in hopes of accomplishing the impossible, no straying from the path the player has set out is permissible.
Come with me, the time is right, there's no better team
Arm in arm we'll win the fight, it's always been our dream
Above all, the brass player must realize that any rivalry is merely impeding a friendship. The brass player must have ultimate faith in the player's section-mates, because in an orchestral setting, only togetherness can produce the desired result of perfection.
(Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all)
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all)
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I teach you
Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon
And so, fellow brassers, take these words to heart. Every single important notion of brass playing, summed up in three minutes of music. More beautiful words have never been spoken. May the Grace of our Lord Arceus, and the Love of his Son Mew, be with you all.
(Also, if you're a Pokémon fan, check out this leaked teaser for Black 2/White 2. It's pretty intense.
https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v1/y2/r/5l8_EVv_jyW.swf?v=10150837632588547&ev=0
Next one will be serious, I promise!)
No comments:
Post a Comment