Recovery

We're all aware of the many method books and philosophies that are filled with tips on warm ups, practice routines and technical (musical) development. There is a not-so-silent obsession throughout the instrumental community. With our dedication to methods, hours of practice, routines, warm ups, scale studies etc. I feel we don't give enough care to our recovery. There are practically no articles written on maximizing our down time, so I'll discuss what my experience has been.

Just as it's important for us to sleep, breaking from the physical exertion of trumpet playing is valid and necessary. What we do during our down time is important to consider. As I've said in previous blogs, I always try to creatively insert variety into my routine. I try to avoid anything chronic. The same applies to my off time. Here are some quick tips to add to your "tool box" of information. Keep in mind there are no rules, just guidelines. It's important to be aware of how your feel (and manifest) fatigue. Sometimes mental, sometimes physical, and sometimes both!

When I feel physically tired. I spend a good amount of time away from the horn physically but still "staying with the horn". I Work my fingers through passages and hear the the music as if I'm playing; but without the playing. Try it; you'll be surprised how a great deal of headway can be made when the trumpet is not even in your hands! I remember practicing a fast 16th note lick I'd written for a section of Defying Gravity, and relatively unsuccessfully. I began working on it mentally, until I could think through it solidly without error. The next time I picked up the horn, I played it perfectly! The power of our mind!

When I'm mentally exhausted, I make it a point to leave everything music at bay. There are many incredible techniques used to raise awareness of relaxation and recovery. Experiment with your recovery time. Take a walk, visit a new place, try a new food, go dancing, listen to a new artist, SING! Everyone of us is fed in a unique way. Spend time doing things you really enjoy in your off time. Remember to always to add variety!

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~Reiki Healing~

~Alexander Technique~

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Joey

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Goldberg Story

RESONANCE - track 10

Stephanie Cummins; Cello/ Joey Pero; trumpet

Goldberg Variation 1:

Folklore winds a tale of the “Goldberg Variations” that is fanciful and lovely. It is said, that in 1736 while residing in Leipzig as the Polish Royal and Saxon Electoral court Composer, Johann Sebastian Bach would often receive visits from the Russian Ambassador to the Electorate of Saxony Count Keyserlingk, and his court musician, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg. The count was in poor health and would often have Goldberg play harpsichord for him on sleepless nights. One day, the Count asked Bach to write some pieces for Goldberg to play that might uplift his spirits and ease his insomnia. Enter; “The Goldberg Variations.”

Just as the Goldberg Variations were written to help the Count wind down, it also acts as the beginning of the wind down of Resonance. Originally written for keyboard, Joey has once again bridged a gap between old and new while managing to maintain elegance and integrity of the piece by voicing it for trumpet and cello. “The Goldberg Variations” can easily be associated with resonance as there purpose is to act as a cure to insomnia. We would challenge anyone to listen to the Goldberg Variations while trying to sleep; you may not make it past variation 5 before conking out. This is a testament to the power of musical resonance and its ability to penetrate at a biological level. Any and all of Bach’s works could easily have fit on the record we call Resonance. Coincidently, Joey and Stephanie recorded the Goldberg in the same studio that Glenn Gould recorded his iconic 1955 version.

Find out more at;

Purchase a hard copy here;

Get Resonance digitally;

J.S. Bach will always be a source of inspiration and discovery to us. As part of the live adaptation of "Resonance", the band and I play a rock-n-roll version of Goldberg. Stay tuned, there is much more to come~!

Joey

"Resonance" reviewed in the International Trumpet Guild Journal

The International Trumpet Guild is an organization formed in 1974 to promote communication among trumpet players around the world and to improve the artistic level of performance, teaching and literature associated with the trumpet.

The International Trumpet Guild has been an incredible resource for thousands of musicians throughout it's prestigious 35 year existence. ITG's more than 6,000 members represent 64 countries and include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers, and others interested in belonging to an organization dedicated to the trumpet profession. ITG is supported by the dues of individual members.

ITG's President, Dr. Kevin E. Eisensmith, (along with myself) would encourage you to click on the “Join ITG” link and become a part of this incredible organization!

Please take a moment to visit the Guild's webpage (below) for further information.

Visit ITG's home on the web:

Join the International Trumpet Guild here:

We are honored that "Resonance" has been reviewed by Dr. Peter Wood, associate professor of trumpet at the University of South Alabama. This article is featured in the October 2009 edition of the ITG Journal.

Joey Pero--Resonance

JoeyPero.com

Joey Pero, trumpet; Simon Boyar, percussion; Freddie Cole, piano and vocals; Daryl Sherman, piano and vocals; Phoebe Snow, vocals; Jack Antonoff, guitar; Adam Nussbaum, drums; Andy Snitzer, tenor saxophone; Artie Reynolds, bass; Bill Moring, upright bass; Paul Livant, guitar; Peter Fish, piano; Ralph Rolle, drums; Robert Walker, clarinet; Roger Rosenberg, baritone saxiphone; Stephanie Cummins, cello

All arrangements by Pero: The Finest Romance; Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, Preludio; Crazy; Birth, based on Handel's Ode to the Birthday of Queen Ann; Defying Gravity; Excerpts from Arutunian Trumpet Concerto; Wrapt; Looking In; Blue Rondo; Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, Variation I; Palladio, Resonance.

Joey Pero has released a highly exciting, virtuosic, and innovative crossover recording that shows off his great technical, musical, and artistic prowess. The CD includes some straight-ahead jazz, some unaccompanied Bach, and a lot of funk/pop/rock influences--an interesting amalgam of musical syles, a la Adam Rapa. Pero studied with Ray Mase and Mark Gould at Juilliard and with Charles Schlueter at the New England Conservatory before touring with Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band. He sounds equally comfortable in jazz, classical, pop, and funk settings. The CD includes top NYC musicians and opens with The Finest Romance, a hard-swinging chart with singer Freddy Cole. On it, Pero's double-tongued improvisation with wide intervallic leaps shows right away what he features throughout the album: highly virtuosic playing. The second track is a lightning-fast moto perpetuo on J.S. Bach's "Preludio" from his Partita No. 3 (originally for violin). Pero's flawless cicular breathing technique is awe-inspiring on this very angular transcription (he never pauses to breathe from start to finish). His funk interpretation of G. F. Handel's Ode to the Birthday of Queen Ann is fun, yet elegant and tasty; and it features Phoebe Snow, the legendary singer with a voice similar to Aretha Franklin. One of the highlights of the album is Pero's rendition of excerpts from the Arutunian Concerto, accompanied by--believe it or not--electric guitar. It is a highly unique and interesting version and really does work well. Pero also includes a very cool Malaguena/Flight of the Bumblebee-flavored version of Blue Rondo, as well as the first variation from Bach's Goldberg Variations (with cello), on which the duo produces a fine balance and nice Baroque style. Joey Pero is a great creative artist with truly incredible technique and musicality. He plays with a smooth, warm, pure sound quality; and his intonation is spot-on throughout the recording. Moreover, he possesses and enviable Maynard-esque power and range that sounds free, easy, and full--never pinched. While the packaging is very attractive with original artwork, the liner notes are scant; one is forced to go to Pero's hip web site for information on the players and tunes. This is a very diverse and creative album with much to like. Pero is truly an amazing virtuoso--someone certainly to watch and listen for in the years to come. (Peter Wood, associate professor of trumpet, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL)

You can read this blog and others on my Myspace page. Become one of my friends and listen to some tunes from "Resonance". See you there!

"The Downtown Diaries" reviews my show!

A very Happy November to everyone,

Friend and fellow blogger Kristina Marino (who has just been nominated for best local blog by Mashable's 3rd annual Open Web Awards) recently blogged about my show at the Metropolitan Room.

Many thanks to Miss Marino for attending and putting her experience to words, uniquely expressed as only she can!

Read the blog entitled "Jazzin' it up a bit..."

Read more of Kristina's award winning blogs at "The Downtown Diaries"

Keep checking back for updates,

Joey