Trumpeter interview
Which research or reflection has sparked this?
Andy Diagram Interview- 13/3/19
I was passed on Allen Vizzuti's contact from another musician who plays with Andy. Today I worked on one of my interviews by interviewing a trumpeter called Andy Diagram who alters his instrument to aim for other sounds other than the natural trumpet sound. However before this, I will be carrying out research using his website to find out how he alters his instrument by changing the tubing and slides.
Therefore this allows me to generate questions into these topics based on his use of technology and physically altering the trumpet's sound.
This source of research through interviewing Andy Diagram will allow me to look into other trumpeters who play outside of the classical genres which I will be doing throughout this project by playing fusions.
A trumpeter with a different sound for 34 years is Andy Diagram, developing his sound through various alterations to brass instruments making use of effects (delay, looping)and psychical changes to the tubing and valves on the trumpet. He does this in order to carve himself as a trumpet player a place into rock music with the trumpet by altering it for a specific sound that the style of music demands. http://andydiagram.com/
This appeals to me as my project supports the idea of the trumpet blending into other genres rather than classical, which is where the trumpet originated.
I haven't been able to find out what the effect of these changes he makes to the instrument have on the sound, therefore this is something I will ask when I am interviewing Andy.
Delay on the trumpet, according to my research usually have an
The delay on the trumpet would make the sound
Delay
http://michaelbarth.ca/research-2/trumpet-with-tape-loop-or-delay/
He involved himself with bands who want a different sound rather than the standard trumpet sounds The main aim of carrying out this interview is to find out how Andy Diagram uses effects to alter his trumpet sound and the purpose.
Andy Diagram had done a project called 'Space heads' which is how he began with generating the sounds he has on his trumpet. His aim was to find a sound which allowed him to be heard on his own in a band environment consisting of a prominent guitars. He said that his project resulted in a
http://andydiagram.com/spaceheads/
http://spaceheads.co.uk/
Researching into Andy Diagram's website, I have gathered more into his trumpet playing and how he makes use of the effects which can be put onto a trumpet's sound. Firstly, he states that even though he plays the trumpet, he prefers to alter the sound of the trumpet by using added effects on the in oppose to the actual trumpet sound.
Furthermore, to create different sounds the trumpet, he uses some software on laptops and uses electronic pedals. Together with this, he adds objects such as kazoos and tubing on the slides to make an unusual sound.
Therefore, I will be trying to find out what he uses for each style he plays.
Relating to the styles I am focusing on for my project, I would like to know whether he uses effects for the styles of jazz, Latin or classical music.
To conclude this, the first question I will ask is about the styles in which he uses effects.
The choice of effects can have an impact on the style I will be playing which I will research into more depth. Also, this can contrast between different styles.
On his website he shares how he sets up his instrument with the tubing methods to alter his sound.
When the trumpet plays different pitches, this is because when the valves are pressed down, the air goes through an extra brass tubing. Therefore, another tube is opened up and the direction of air. The diagram of the labelled trumpet shows which part of the tubing is opened up when each valve is pressed down. The arrows indicate the direction the air travels through the tube. The tubes can also be known as slides as they can be adjusted by sliding them in and out of the instrument.
Looking back at the effects put on the trumpet, Andy Diagram makes use of the function of the slides to make other noises on the trumpet such as putting in a kazoo. The way that this works is that each valve is connected to each one of the slides and they relate, therefore, when the first valve is pressed down, it opens up the first valve slide and that is the sound that comes out of the trumpet. However, when something else is put into the slide, it makes that sound instead.
http://andydiagram.com/tech/tubing-set-up/
When Andy, puts a kazoo in slide three and presses the third valve, the sound of the kazoo is there.
The image to the right shows the kazoo placed on the third valve slide.
http://andydiagram.com/tech/tubing-set-up/
Another alteration which he makes to his trumpet is using plastic hosepipes to extend the slide with a horn at the end of it. In the image, he has put the plastic hosepipe into the second slide. Following the same idea I mentioned before about the slide and the valve having a relation, this addition to the second slide means that when the second valve is played, the second slide will create the sound. In this case, the horn will be making the sound.
This idea with tubing on the trumpet can be extended where the tubes can be put in water, attaching another trumpet to one of the slides. The way that this works is that the number of valves and slides are doubled so that you can alter both instruments at the same time. However the tubing on the trumpet cannot be excessive or longer than needed as it will eventually decrease the volume and make the trumpet sound very quiet. This would be a disadvantage to the trumpet as the it's known as a loud instrument with the highest register in the brass family.
https://www.lutherhigh.org/documents/arts/les_band/instrument_info/trumpet_info.pdf
Relating back to my own project, and records his own music so another relevant question could be how he uses these techniques when recording. This relates to my project as I will be recording the songs from the styles I am focusing on.
Due to my project being more into the classical and jazz genres, I will ask Andy about these styles as he is also trained in these.
To get in touch with Andy Diagram, I will be sending an email through the contact page on his website, mentioning that I am doing a project and asking if he is available for an interview in the week commencing the 25th March. I plan to have a confirmed interview date by the week commencing the 18th March.
I used the email from his website and wrote a formal email addressing the purposes of the interview and the dates that they would be carried out.
Add some screenshots.
I couldn't get through the Andy on his own email so I sent him an email though spaceheads instead. What did this change and how did it have an effect on the outcome?
Andy's reply to my email:
Given me some website links
I have received a very detailed email from Andy diagram, following up from my second email.
Together with this, he has linked a website where he is planning to publicize brass players who use technology in their playing. Therefore, Sam Barton could be a good example to pass onto Andy. I am supporting this idea of increasing the recognition of technology trumpeters due to my interest in the trumpet blending into styles of music rather than being bordered by the classical music. By helping out with the production of this website, I can also read into other trumpeters who are posted on there, which will also be an advantage as I will be able to compare the use of technology among a group of contrasting trumpeters.
The first point stated by Andy is his use of effects is that have developed over the last 30 years. "It was a lot of trial and error before settling on different approaches" (Andy Diagram). The main thing I took from this information he provided me is that when developing and aiming for a specific sound, there are a of trials to take place which results in many errors.
This has inspired me to carry out my trial with the effects pedal in the rehearsal room which took place
The most important thing he discovered , especially when playing with others was finding ways to hear himself as others often overlook the importance of monitoring, especially when using effects.
I think this is important for playing with others as you're only very sure of your sound when playing alone if there is no monitoring when playing with others. With this, many things could occur such as not knowing what sound is coming out of your instrument and how it is affecting the song other instruments around you.While other instrumentalists are playign something else,
Using this as the band in Caravan
One of my long term goals after this project are to play as part of a band as turmpeter/flugelhornist. Therefore, looking into using effects in a band setting would be an advantage to me.
The equipment I use is outlined on my website at
http://andydiagram.com/tech/
harmonizing pedal???
The iPhone Andy uses is actually called the iSlice because its an iPhone attached to the topof the trumpet by means of an up-bent fish slice.
However, the iphone doesn’t make any sound and instead, it allows him to control the software on his computer as they are connected. This means that he can play his trumpet through the computer and change the settings without having to use the mouse, making use of the smart phone at the top of his trumpet like a controller in music tech terms.
He is running an app on the iPhone called touch OSC. This allows you to create your own interface with the computer by means of arranging pages of sliders, knobs and x/y controllers.The computer is running Ableton Live with various plug ins. The looper of choice at the moment is Augustus loop.
Andy Diagram then states that he does not know what kind of sound he is aiming for and that its all about experimentation with effects and tubing. All of this depends on what he prefers and if he discovers a sound which he likes, he tries to recreate this, however it's much like improvisation. To support this, he states that he doesn't mind the idea of constantly struggling with the trumpet as he prefers this in oppose to "flashy show-off players and prefer a sound that is always seeking to go somewhere new, even if it doesn't go anywhere".
When you improvise in jazz, it's almost impossible to play the same solo which is quite similar to this concept aswell. Therefore, he says that it results in 'various degrees of success' where it could contrast to what he had done previously or be improved.
In this situation, he adds the sounds he creates into a repertoire bank which he makes use of in concerts.
Instead of having notated repertoire, I am interested in Andy Diagrams approach to playing music on the trumpet through sounds.
Together with being a genre-fluid flugelhornist,
To create even more contrast within his playing, he says that he likes the idea that the sounds can come out from a different place of the trumpet rather than the bell.
He then goes on to explain how he did a concert where the tubes went around the room so that the sounds would pop out around people.
In my opinion, this is a very unique idea to think of as it goes beyond the idea of my project altering the sounds of the trumpet and actually extending the tubes to go around a room so that the audience gets more of an effect from his playing.
In addition to all of this contrast, Andy also likes to record using a normal trumpet sounds where he can differentiate the sound later such as using a Kazzoo and building up alternating rhythmic patters between the different sounds.
What does a Kazzoo do?
Looking into ways that various other trumpeters use their instrument in different ways to achieve a specific sound is relevant to me as Andy Diagram avoids the natural trumpet sound due to his lack of confidence playing the trumpet normally. In my project, I am playing outside of the genres of classical music which is what the trumpet was originally for, going back to my historical research. Using techniques and different sounds, this will allow me to follow the fusions using my instrument, pedals etc
Which research or reflection has sparked this?
Andy Diagram Interview- 13/3/19
I was passed on Allen Vizzuti's contact from another musician who plays with Andy. Today I worked on one of my interviews by interviewing a trumpeter called Andy Diagram who alters his instrument to aim for other sounds other than the natural trumpet sound. However before this, I will be carrying out research using his website to find out how he alters his instrument by changing the tubing and slides.
Therefore this allows me to generate questions into these topics based on his use of technology and physically altering the trumpet's sound.
This source of research through interviewing Andy Diagram will allow me to look into other trumpeters who play outside of the classical genres which I will be doing throughout this project by playing fusions.
A trumpeter with a different sound for 34 years is Andy Diagram, developing his sound through various alterations to brass instruments making use of effects (delay, looping)and psychical changes to the tubing and valves on the trumpet. He does this in order to carve himself as a trumpet player a place into rock music with the trumpet by altering it for a specific sound that the style of music demands. http://andydiagram.com/
This appeals to me as my project supports the idea of the trumpet blending into other genres rather than classical, which is where the trumpet originated.
I haven't been able to find out what the effect of these changes he makes to the instrument have on the sound, therefore this is something I will ask when I am interviewing Andy.
Delay on the trumpet, according to my research usually have an
The delay on the trumpet would make the sound
Delay
http://michaelbarth.ca/research-2/trumpet-with-tape-loop-or-delay/
He involved himself with bands who want a different sound rather than the standard trumpet sounds The main aim of carrying out this interview is to find out how Andy Diagram uses effects to alter his trumpet sound and the purpose.
Andy Diagram had done a project called 'Space heads' which is how he began with generating the sounds he has on his trumpet. His aim was to find a sound which allowed him to be heard on his own in a band environment consisting of a prominent guitars. He said that his project resulted in a
http://andydiagram.com/spaceheads/
http://spaceheads.co.uk/
Researching into Andy Diagram's website, I have gathered more into his trumpet playing and how he makes use of the effects which can be put onto a trumpet's sound. Firstly, he states that even though he plays the trumpet, he prefers to alter the sound of the trumpet by using added effects on the in oppose to the actual trumpet sound.
Furthermore, to create different sounds the trumpet, he uses some software on laptops and uses electronic pedals. Together with this, he adds objects such as kazoos and tubing on the slides to make an unusual sound.
Therefore, I will be trying to find out what he uses for each style he plays.
Relating to the styles I am focusing on for my project, I would like to know whether he uses effects for the styles of jazz, Latin or classical music.
To conclude this, the first question I will ask is about the styles in which he uses effects.
The choice of effects can have an impact on the style I will be playing which I will research into more depth. Also, this can contrast between different styles.
On his website he shares how he sets up his instrument with the tubing methods to alter his sound.
When the trumpet plays different pitches, this is because when the valves are pressed down, the air goes through an extra brass tubing. Therefore, another tube is opened up and the direction of air. The diagram of the labelled trumpet shows which part of the tubing is opened up when each valve is pressed down. The arrows indicate the direction the air travels through the tube. The tubes can also be known as slides as they can be adjusted by sliding them in and out of the instrument.
Looking back at the effects put on the trumpet, Andy Diagram makes use of the function of the slides to make other noises on the trumpet such as putting in a kazoo. The way that this works is that each valve is connected to each one of the slides and they relate, therefore, when the first valve is pressed down, it opens up the first valve slide and that is the sound that comes out of the trumpet. However, when something else is put into the slide, it makes that sound instead.
http://andydiagram.com/tech/tubing-set-up/
When Andy, puts a kazoo in slide three and presses the third valve, the sound of the kazoo is there.
The image to the right shows the kazoo placed on the third valve slide.
http://andydiagram.com/tech/tubing-set-up/
Another alteration which he makes to his trumpet is using plastic hosepipes to extend the slide with a horn at the end of it. In the image, he has put the plastic hosepipe into the second slide. Following the same idea I mentioned before about the slide and the valve having a relation, this addition to the second slide means that when the second valve is played, the second slide will create the sound. In this case, the horn will be making the sound.
This idea with tubing on the trumpet can be extended where the tubes can be put in water, attaching another trumpet to one of the slides. The way that this works is that the number of valves and slides are doubled so that you can alter both instruments at the same time. However the tubing on the trumpet cannot be excessive or longer than needed as it will eventually decrease the volume and make the trumpet sound very quiet. This would be a disadvantage to the trumpet as the it's known as a loud instrument with the highest register in the brass family.
https://www.lutherhigh.org/documents/arts/les_band/instrument_info/trumpet_info.pdf
Relating back to my own project, and records his own music so another relevant question could be how he uses these techniques when recording. This relates to my project as I will be recording the songs from the styles I am focusing on.
Due to my project being more into the classical and jazz genres, I will ask Andy about these styles as he is also trained in these.
To get in touch with Andy Diagram, I will be sending an email through the contact page on his website, mentioning that I am doing a project and asking if he is available for an interview in the week commencing the 25th March. I plan to have a confirmed interview date by the week commencing the 18th March.
I used the email from his website and wrote a formal email addressing the purposes of the interview and the dates that they would be carried out.
Add some screenshots.
I couldn't get through the Andy on his own email so I sent him an email though spaceheads instead. What did this change and how did it have an effect on the outcome?
Andy's reply to my email:
Given me some website links
I have received a very detailed email from Andy diagram, following up from my second email.
Together with this, he has linked a website where he is planning to publicize brass players who use technology in their playing. Therefore, Sam Barton could be a good example to pass onto Andy. I am supporting this idea of increasing the recognition of technology trumpeters due to my interest in the trumpet blending into styles of music rather than being bordered by the classical music. By helping out with the production of this website, I can also read into other trumpeters who are posted on there, which will also be an advantage as I will be able to compare the use of technology among a group of contrasting trumpeters.
The first point stated by Andy is his use of effects is that have developed over the last 30 years. "It was a lot of trial and error before settling on different approaches" (Andy Diagram). The main thing I took from this information he provided me is that when developing and aiming for a specific sound, there are a of trials to take place which results in many errors.
This has inspired me to carry out my trial with the effects pedal in the rehearsal room which took place
The most important thing he discovered , especially when playing with others was finding ways to hear himself as others often overlook the importance of monitoring, especially when using effects.
I think this is important for playing with others as you're only very sure of your sound when playing alone if there is no monitoring when playing with others. With this, many things could occur such as not knowing what sound is coming out of your instrument and how it is affecting the song other instruments around you.While other instrumentalists are playign something else,
Using this as the band in Caravan
One of my long term goals after this project are to play as part of a band as turmpeter/flugelhornist. Therefore, looking into using effects in a band setting would be an advantage to me.
The equipment I use is outlined on my website at
http://andydiagram.com/tech/
harmonizing pedal???
The iPhone Andy uses is actually called the iSlice because its an iPhone attached to the topof the trumpet by means of an up-bent fish slice.
However, the iphone doesn’t make any sound and instead, it allows him to control the software on his computer as they are connected. This means that he can play his trumpet through the computer and change the settings without having to use the mouse, making use of the smart phone at the top of his trumpet like a controller in music tech terms.
He is running an app on the iPhone called touch OSC. This allows you to create your own interface with the computer by means of arranging pages of sliders, knobs and x/y controllers.The computer is running Ableton Live with various plug ins. The looper of choice at the moment is Augustus loop.
Andy Diagram then states that he does not know what kind of sound he is aiming for and that its all about experimentation with effects and tubing. All of this depends on what he prefers and if he discovers a sound which he likes, he tries to recreate this, however it's much like improvisation. To support this, he states that he doesn't mind the idea of constantly struggling with the trumpet as he prefers this in oppose to "flashy show-off players and prefer a sound that is always seeking to go somewhere new, even if it doesn't go anywhere".
When you improvise in jazz, it's almost impossible to play the same solo which is quite similar to this concept aswell. Therefore, he says that it results in 'various degrees of success' where it could contrast to what he had done previously or be improved.
In this situation, he adds the sounds he creates into a repertoire bank which he makes use of in concerts.
Instead of having notated repertoire, I am interested in Andy Diagrams approach to playing music on the trumpet through sounds.
Together with being a genre-fluid flugelhornist,
To create even more contrast within his playing, he says that he likes the idea that the sounds can come out from a different place of the trumpet rather than the bell.
He then goes on to explain how he did a concert where the tubes went around the room so that the sounds would pop out around people.
In my opinion, this is a very unique idea to think of as it goes beyond the idea of my project altering the sounds of the trumpet and actually extending the tubes to go around a room so that the audience gets more of an effect from his playing.
In addition to all of this contrast, Andy also likes to record using a normal trumpet sounds where he can differentiate the sound later such as using a Kazzoo and building up alternating rhythmic patters between the different sounds.
What does a Kazzoo do?
Looking into ways that various other trumpeters use their instrument in different ways to achieve a specific sound is relevant to me as Andy Diagram avoids the natural trumpet sound due to his lack of confidence playing the trumpet normally. In my project, I am playing outside of the genres of classical music which is what the trumpet was originally for, going back to my historical research. Using techniques and different sounds, this will allow me to follow the fusions using my instrument, pedals etc
No comments:
Post a Comment