If you didn't know, I'm a member of the BYU marching band. I play the trumpet, and while I'm not the guy who played the high note in the video above, I was there and was definitely contributing to the noise backing him up. I'm not writing about trumpet playing though, more, what is our reaction to a trumpet's sound?
This behavior is not modern. Imagine this next clip being played from the bulwarks of a fortress as a victorious king rides through the gate.
Taps is one of the most famous bugle calls in the United States. It is played for every military funeral, as well as during flag ceremonies. This song carries with it the grief, honor, and hope present at a funeral for a fallen soldier. Nini Rosso, a german trumpet player, wrote this song, "Il Silenzio," and made a number one hit in 1965. Listen as this young girl plays a song about love ones lost.
With all of these examples, is it really so hard to believe the many verses put to music by Handel culminating in the exclamation: "The Trumpet Shall Sound and the Dead Shall Be Raised"?
It's very interesting the reaction we have developed to the trumpets. I wonder how this reaction differs between cultures. Another interesting thing to study would be the concept of "strings" and how certain vibrations to these strings, through music or other means, resonate with us. I feel like trumpets do a particularly good job of hitting this chord. Cool vids!
ReplyDeleteMariachi trumpets are one example of a cross-cultural use of brass. I agree, string instruments would also make for an interesting study.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Music has always been an important part of culture and continues to evolve. For example, I think marching band is more associated with sporting events than with popular culture. Thanks for sharing so many videos.
ReplyDeleteMy response is posted in the blog above :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as instruments go, we all have a natural reaction to music. But a trumpet playing by itself isn't necessarily what we think of as "music" (I'm not bashing trumpets or anything, hope you know what I'm trying to say). It is very interesting to me that the two instruments that really catch our attention and tell us something is going to happen are trumpets and drums, the two instruments traditionally used in war to convey messages to soldiers. I wonder why it is that these are the ones we instinctively pay attention to? Of course, we tend to get certain feelings from other instruments too: for example, sometimes we feel peace from a flute or harp, joviality from an accordion, and sadness from a cello.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I hadn't thought of that! To each instrument their own, each one has its unique quality to convey very specific emotions, without using words at all! And when combined together in an orchestra, the blend of melodies and harmonies make it even that much more powerful.
ReplyDeleteA very original sort of post and very engaging, as Brenda exemplifies with her follow-up post. Good job.
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