Master Class: Barbara Butler – Trumpet

Barbara Butler presented an extremely insightful and well organized masterclass on Music vs. Technique. Ms. Butler asserted that performers have to: “put music in, in order to get music out.” She illustrated this point by referring to one of her own perfect recordings. She then suggested that playing as if she were dying and would never have the chance to play a particular piece again resulted in a more musical performance.

Ms. Butler acknowledged that the United States is proud of perfection in its musicians, but commended the Europeans for taking chances to produce more exciting performances. She stated that good technique, strong high notes, nice tonguing, etc. are not enough – performers need to touch people.

To the question “Is musicianship innate?” Ms. Butler answered “yes,” but stressed that it can also be learned through such activities as listening to great musicians, especially singers. She stated that discernment is important as well as being open to new ideas. She suggested making up words to musical phrases as a practice technique for developing better musicianship.

Ms. Butler advocated practicing opposites such as high/low, fast/slow, loud/soft – everyday. She stressed the need for multiple repetitions. She recommended listing one’s playing attributes from one to twenty with the strongest attribute being number one. She suggested that players need to work more on numbers fifteen through twenty to bring the strength of those elements closer to that of attributes at the top of the list.

Continuing her discussion on practicing, Ms. Butler indicated that players need to practice switching instruments (C trumpet to piccolo, etc.) In addition, they should always strive for a beautiful sound and should pay great attention to fundamentals. While playing Schlossberg, for example, she suggested imagining an audience.

About performing, Ms. Butler stated: “Being a great musician is about making choices.” She suggested having a plan for every piece, and recommended that the plan include pacing ideas. Some common performance problems she mentioned included not exaggerating enough and trying to “nuance” every note. She highlighted that great performers make it sound easy and natural; shape phrases, not notes; and that they lead to important notes through the use of dynamics, intensity, speed, and vibrato to create the ebb and flow that constitutes great music. Attention to the ideas presented in Ms. Butler’s clinic will certainly help performers in their quest to interpret music to the best of their abilities.

Submitted by Cathy Leach, Principal Trumpet, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Professor of Trumpet/Director of Graduate Studies University of Tennessee