Brass Mastery

Mastery Is Within Reach
  • 4.8 (10)
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Brass Mastery

Mastery is within reach. Will you go for it? My name is James Newcomb, and allow me to share with you my vision for this website and podcast. Brass Mastery is here to provide you the knowledge, tools and inspiration to achieve greatness on your brass instrument. What is mastery anyway? We all have various talent levels, backgrounds, aspirations as brass instrumentalists. So it's hard to say what "mastery" really looks like. It varies from person to person, doesn't it? One way to think of it is "being in control". You've mastered your nerves, the audience is eating from the palm of your hand. You feel completely comfortable in your own skin.... Playing the music that "plays you" as the saying goes. That's just one way of thinking of it. This website and podcast will dive deep into what "mastery" truly is when it comes to brass instruments. Ambiguous? Perhaps. Attainable? Absolutely. This is no high-minded fool's errand. It's a lifelong journey to mastery. Will you join me? www.brassmastery.com

  1. 7 HR. AGO

    There are Good Days, and Then There Are Great Days

    Brass Mastery is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this important work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, Vinnie Cieselski shares his personal journey and insights on achieving mastery and maintaining a positive mindset both in music and life. He recounts lessons learned from his teacher about having “good and great days, and elaborates on how personal and professional challenges influence his trumpet playing and overall outlook. Vinnie discusses his father's influence, dealing with his father's illness and passing, and his own significant health challenges, including weight management and living with a rare spinal condition. Highlighted is the importance of discipline, health, and mental positivity. Vinnie also emphasizes the power of music in transforming moods and fostering joy, drawing from his extensive experience in the contemporary gospel music scene. The episode underscores resilience, adaptability, and the profound impact of maintaining a positive approach amidst adversities. Episode highlights: 00:11 Reflecting on Good and Great Days 01:37 Lessons from My Father 03:06 Overcoming Personal Challenges 04:20 The Importance of Health and Hydration 08:33 Consistency and Discipline in Practice 13:36 Living with a Medical Condition 30:48 The Power of Music **Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    35 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    The Evolution and Intersection of Classical and Popular Music

    “Trumpet Vinnie”, see his website, explores how classical music, once popular in its own era, parallels today’s popular music. The conversation covers the relevance of composers like Mozart, Wagner, and Mahler to their contemporary societies and predicts future recognition of artists such as John Williams and The Beatles as classical music icons. The discussion also addresses the interplay between classical and popular music education, the role of orchestras in film music, and the importance of adaptability in music careers. Personal anecdotes highlight the continuity and mutual influence of classical and modern music traditions. **Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    1h 54m
  3. Vinnie Cieselski's Early Musical Influences

    2 DAYS AGO

    Vinnie Cieselski's Early Musical Influences

    Vinnie Cieselski shares the beginning of his journey to Brass Mastery. Starting from early beginnings in a South Florida drum and bugle corps, Vinnie recounts his experiences from being introduced to the trumpet at age nine to receiving early lessons from Al Carroll, whose optimistic and practical teaching methods laid a strong foundation. The discussion also explores the physical demands of playing the trumpet, the influences of legendary players like Maynard Ferguson and the importance of a positive mindset. Additionally, the episode highlights the impactful careers of contemporary trumpet players such as Jeff Bailey and William Leathers, and their significant contributions to both classical and pop music. Episode highlights 00:11 Early Beginnings with the Trumpet 02:29 Lessons from Al Carroll 06:23 Discovering Influences and Inspirations 07:52 Maynard Ferguson's Impact 10:29 Modern Trumpet Heroes 14:03 Classical and Pop Music Fusion 16:11 Conclusion and Joining the Brass Mastery Tribe **Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    16 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    How Do You Pronounce "Cieselski"?

    This is part 1 of my interview with the great Vinnie Cieselski, a top player in the Nashville recording scene. Become a premium subscriber to listen to the nearly 2 hour interview in its entirety! In this excerpt, Vinnie discusses his experiences as a musician, from humorous encounters with his name's pronunciation to his journey in the music industry. Vinnie talks about his band 'Vinnie and the Hitmen' and their upcoming projects, including the album 'Kiss the Ring' and a Christmas record 'Public Domain Christmas.' He shares insights into the music scene in Nashville, the importance of versatility in a musician's career, and his passion for combining classical and modern music elements. Vinny also emphasizes the significance of encouraging young musicians to love all types of music. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    11 min

  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    Botti Will Never Play Anything But a Martin Committee Deluxe Large Bore Trumpet

    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. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    12 min

  6. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Art and Honesty of Jazz Record Making (Botti pt. 3)

    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? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    9 min

  7. NOV 14

    "That's When the Record Industry Changed" (Botti pt. 2)

    Chris Botti offers his thoughts on the transformation of the music industry, focusing on the impact of streaming and the transition from traditional record labels to independent success. The conversation delves into the rise of podcasts as a new media frontier, highlighting increased democratization and shifting audience consumption habits. With examples from prominent figures like Joe Rogan and Wynton Marsalis, the dialogue underscores the importance of adaptability and niche specialization in today's media landscape. Episode highlights: 00:11 The Changing Music Industry Landscape 02:21 The Rise of Podcasts 04:05 The Democratization of Media 06:08 Reflections on Jazz and Inspirations 06:18 Tribute to Jazz Legends 08:34 Wynton Marsalis’ Glass Ceiling 11:28 A Backdoor to a Career in Jazz **Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    13 min

  8. NOV 13

    Chris Botti's Trumpet is His Business Card

    In this episode, the great Chris Botti discusses his journey through the music industry. He reflects on how the industry has shifted from needing record company approval to a more direct relationship with fans and promoters. The conversation covers his early days at Columbia Records, the importance of the trumpet in his image, and his transition to Blue Note Records. He emphasizes the changing nature of music marketing and the significance of live performances in building a career today. This is the first of a series of excerpts of an interview I did with Chris. There is much more to come in the coming days. See below for details on accessing the interview in its entirety. Episode highlights 00:11 The Trumpet's Role in Pop Culture 00:44 The Evolution of Music Promotion 03:32 Navigating the Music Industry 07:11 The Impact of Gatekeepers 08:11 Conclusion and Call to Action **Mastery Is Within Reach. Will You Go For It? Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com. And consider subscribing to the Premium feed which features complete, ad-free episodes, bonus content not available anywhere else on the web, and much more! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brassmastery.com/subscribe

    8 min
See All (22)

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Mastery is within reach. Will you go for it? My name is James Newcomb, and allow me to share with you my vision for this website and podcast. Brass Mastery is here to provide you the knowledge, tools and inspiration to achieve greatness on your brass instrument. What is mastery anyway? We all have various talent levels, backgrounds, aspirations as brass instrumentalists. So it's hard to say what "mastery" really looks like. It varies from person to person, doesn't it? One way to think of it is "being in control". You've mastered your nerves, the audience is eating from the palm of your hand. You feel completely comfortable in your own skin.... Playing the music that "plays you" as the saying goes. That's just one way of thinking of it. This website and podcast will dive deep into what "mastery" truly is when it comes to brass instruments. Ambiguous? Perhaps. Attainable? Absolutely. This is no high-minded fool's errand. It's a lifelong journey to mastery. Will you join me? www.brassmastery.com

Information

  • Creator
    Mastery Is Within Reach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brass Mastery
  • Show Website
    Brass Mastery

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