Darcy is correct, both about the ability to make sounds through a brass
instrument with air, when one desires to, and about the probable intent
of the trumpet player in question.
Back when the Louisville Orchestra was in the forefront of performance
of new music for orchestra (days past, unfortunately), we would see this
indication fairly often.
It is quite easy to make a variety of different sounds through the horn
with breath alone. It is easier to make louder sounds with the inverted
mouthpiece. With either, a long sustained sound is not practical by
one player, but is by a section.
I have seen players automatically attempt to invert the mouthpiece to do
this, but there often isn't time in the music to do so.
One of my favorite works for good, effective orchestral application of a
variety of brass techniques is Donald Erb's "The Seventh Trumpet."
Raymond Horton
Bass Trombonist
Louisville Orchestra
Darcy James Argue wrote:
Without wishing to appear contrarian, but speaking again from personal experience --
having written multiple pieces that employ this effect -- it is perfectly possible to
make pitchless, audible (if faint) sounds by blowing air (usually augmented by a slight
whistling effect) through a brass instrument without buzzing the lips. The instruction
"blow air" usually suffices. It's a very common effect. It sounds like the
trumpet player in Robert's anecdote was being deliberately difficult/obtuse.
I've never seen anyone invert the mouthpiece as Robert suggests. That seems
like it would generate a different kind of sound, but now I'm eager to have my
band try it out!
Cheers,
- DJA
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