3 Main Techniques Required To Play Maynard's 1954 Version of Over The Rainbow:
1. A Double G
2. Endurance
3. Extreme Breath Control
* many other techniques are required like accuracy, but we will concern ourselves with the TOP MAIN 3 Techniques.
CLICK TO PLAY "Over The Rainbow"
So, turn up the speakers and go for it.
This is one of Maynard's most difficult trumpet solos of all time. You may be thinking? Why? The top note is a Double G and thousands can play a Double G.
True, but when you add in the requirements for extended endurance, that is going to weed out 90% of players who can "hit" the double G.
When you add in the requirement of Extreme Breath Control, that will weed out the remaining 4.99% of players making this song almost unplayable by today's standards.
"Hey Kurt. You are exaggerating. Tons of pro's could play this easily including the lovable Wayne Bergeron and Jon Faddis."
NOT SO FAST!
First, this song has been around since 1954. Let's do the math: 1954 + 10 = 1964 + 10 =1974 on and on until...2024 which EQUALS 70 YEARS!
This Maynard Ferguson song has been on the books for 70 years, yet ONLY 2 TRUMPET PLAYERS HAVE played it:
Maynard Ferguson
Kurt Thompson
This is not random, not accidental, not an oversight of this song. Practically all trumpet players CANNOT play this song and let's face it, THEY WOULD HAVE IF THEY COULD HAVE!
Over the Rainbow is a lovable, popular song that many, many musicians from all walks have played, recorded, and performed...just not this version!
So, go try it and you will see what I mean.
Why is this song one of the most difficult if it only goes to Double G?
NO REST!
Unlike Maynard's MacArthur Park where the soloist gets to rest multiple times throughout including up to 4-5 minutes of rests depending on how may times the jazz ad lib solo is passed around, Over The Rainbow allows only 1 MEASURE OF REST and that is after a solid 90 seconds of playing! Then, you play another 90 seconds and the only rest you have in the second half is a 2 beat half rest. Grand total of 3 minutes of solid playing with 1 1/2 measures total rest time.
THAT MY FRIENDS IS WHY ONLY 2 TRUMPET PLAYERS HAVE PLAYED THIS TRUMPET SOLO!
Can you be the third trumpet player to perform this?
You will need to up your game on endurance more than anything else, but that still won't do the trick.
When you play this 3 minute song with only a few seconds of rest, it is like holding your breath for 3 minutes. So, even if you have "CIIRCUS" ready gig chops, you likely still won't be able to do this song unless you master breath control.
Here is a tip from me that I teach in my 16 Week Course:
PRACTICING HOLDING YOUR BREATH WITH YOUR THROAT OPEN!
During this technique, you are not allowed to swallow or "hold" your breath with your throat pinched or clamped.
Your throat must remain open such that you can even feel the cool air at the back of your throat!
It's almost like you are PAUSIING your breathing rather than HOLDING your breath.
You may be wondering: Hmmm so what is allowing the air to remain inside if your mouth and throat are open?
YOUR DIAPHRAGM! And that is exactly the muscle (organ) we are trying to improve and strengthen to be able to play seemingly impossible trumpet solos with no rest for breathing or breaks.
If you have considered taking your playing to a much higher level, I would like to invite you to enroll in my 16 Week Upper Register Course.
It is the number 1 course for embouchure strength anywhere and there is not even a close second. This is fact based, not my opinion!
Go here to find the version that would fit your time schedule and budget: https://trumpetsizzle.com/collections/many-versions-of-the-16-week-revised-upper-register-course-for-trumpet-and-brass-players/16-week-upper-register-course+high-note-course
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