[FighterForJC]

I know most of you guys can't stand smooth jazz anyway, and I'm using a double standard here 'cuz I like to play smooth jazz. But smooth jazz trumpet??? Whenever I hear it on the radio it almost makes me angry, because here's some trumpet player trying to cash in and fool people with some smooth jazz. The trumpet is at its best when it's screaming or even when it's muted, but playing some "real" jazz and latin jazz. It has a very brash quality in its tone. The beautiful thing about the saxophone is that it is the closest thing to the human voice. You can literally make a sax sing and do just about everything a singer could do except say words. The trumpet's fundamental sound is ugly compared to the saxophone, it's not meant to "sing." When I hear smooth jazz trumpet playing overly simplistic lines it sounds like garbage. The same simple lines could sound really beautiful on a saxophone, but on a trumpet, it's just not meant to be.

 

[nachoman]

Nicely argued case sir!

 

[dirvin]

I guess it depends on who you like....

I happen to think that Chris Botti has a fat, dark sound. Not brashy at all. And I think some of his stuff may be classified as smooth jazz..

 

[tjontheroad]

I guess it depends on who you like....

I happen to think that Chris Botti has a fat, dark sound. Not brashy at all. And I think some of his stuff may be classified as smooth jazz..

Very smooth with "real" jazz chops is Botti.

I don't think everyone here hates smooth jazz. Hate is such a strong word :|

 

[Henry D]

Respectfully disagree. Though I have no interest in "smooth jazz" I've played the trumpet for 49 years now. For pure warm, rich, human voicing I'd always choose my trumpet. The sax also offers a full rich voice but of a different nature. This dispute is liable to make the "effects of finish on the sound" look downright open and shut. I think different tastes for different folks sums it up.

 

[FighterForJC]

No offense to trumpet players, just my personal taste. And if you're curious, what really did it for me was listening to a trumpet rendition of "Smooth Operator" yesterday as I was driving.

 

[JazzItUp]

I don't like to listen to trumpet players at all if I am listening to Smooth Jazz unless it's part of the brass or if it's one phrase in the song, but yeah I agree.

 

[stevesklar]

I prefer cornet or fluegelhorn for smooth jazz. they just don't have the edginess of a silver plated trumpet. BUT I don't play those .. just like to listen to those better.

 

[CiaranAudio]

What about smooth Jazz trombone??

 

[hakukani]

This is actually an interesting question, it got me to thinking. There are kinds of music I like to play, but hate to listen to. I wouldn't mind playing smooth jazz, but I hate to listen to it. I like to play concert band music, but don't care to listen to them.

 

[FighterForJC]

This is actually an interesting question, it got me to thinking. There are kinds of music I like to play, but hate to listen to. I wouldn't mind playing smooth jazz, but I hate to listen to it. I like to play concert band music, but don't care to listen to them.

The MAIN reason, if not the only reason I play pop/smooth jazz is because I'm not good enough to play the real deal. "Smooth" is so much more realistic and attainable for the likes of me, limited talent and limited practice time and all.

P.S. I also think that the real jazz saxophonists should stay away from smooth jazz so that we sucky sax players can dominate the smooth jazz genre instead of getting beat out by "ringers."

 

[jmm1713]

I like smooth jazz but I can't stand Chris Botti or Rick Braun

 

[Morry]

You stick a Harmon mute on a trumpet, and it covers up all kinds of splatting of notes. I think a lot of times, trumpet guys move into smooth jazz later when they start to lose their chops.

 

[gary]

Well I enjoy both Rick Braun and Chris Botti...for a while. I've got several recordings of both and when I put one on it's very nice for a while and then I just have to take it off. It gets too redundant. Sax, trumpet, guitar, doesn't matter. Innocuous music by any other name would still smell.

OTOH, Chris is pretty. Oh those blond locks and blue eyes.

 

[Al Stevens]

You stick a Harmon mute on a trumpet, and it covers up all kinds of splatting of notes. I think a lot of times, trumpet guys move into smooth jazz later when they start to lose their chops.

When they want to earn a living.

For me, I can't stand smooth jazz when played on a banjo or bagpipes. It just sounds awful.

 

[gary]

I can't stand smooth jazz when played on a banjo or bagpipes.

:sign5:

Something just not, well, smooth about it is there.

 

[RootyTootoot]

The MAIN reason, if not the only reason I play pop/smooth jazz is because I'm not good enough to play the real deal. "Smooth" is so much more realistic and attainable for the likes of me, limited talent and limited practice time and all.

That's actually a v honest statement and a good way of looking at your playing IMHO. Certainly a better way than thinking "Right, once I;ve mastered "Giant Steps" then i'll really be worth soemthing as a player". The best advice i ever got from a sax teacher was "Go for the things that are in reach". I mean, a lot of the "greats" worked their way from "simpler" forms to more complex ones, i think. Not than one should be complacent, but i like the realism in your POV.

 

[LazySaxman]

I think a trumpet with a harmon is much closer to a human voice than a sax. Often times I have heard a trumpet with a plunger and/or harmon on the radio and was unsure if it was a voice or a trumpet. I hear the sax as sounding very different than a voice, but approaching notes more like speaking...

Chuck Mangione gives me a good laugh on occasion, and it 'feels so good'.

 

[marton]

When I hear smooth jazz trumpet playing overly simplistic lines it sounds like garbage. The same simple lines could sound really beautiful on a saxophone, but on a trumpet, it's just not meant to be.

i guess miles, and "kind of blue" just stinks then.

actually i don't understand exactly what you're railing against because it seems overly general.

 

[saxmanglen]

Did someone say TROMBONE?