[TPIN] "Now why don't he write?"

[Mark Deaton]

Rick Price wrote:
 
Okay, I usually let the flow of ideas go by here unless something makes even
my graying jaded eyebrows go up.  Usually, I then jump in and regret it
later.  So here's my two cents worth:
 
Forget the back cover of M.F. Horn III as a "reference" statement about
M.F.'s setup.  He was well known to move the horn all over his face within a
performance.   (With not much in the way of derogatory impact on the quality
of what he was playing, btw.)  If he didn't like what he heard he kept
moving around until he found something he liked better.  I've (and so have a
bunch of people here) seen him do it.
 
I was always a little irritated by the occasional High School Director (well
meaning maybe, but ultimately clueless, usually-interestingly-a reed player)
who started all that "Arm Strong" method schmooze.  The pressure you see
Ferguson use is what it takes (took, sorry....) to cancel the opposing
cyclone that WAS his air column.  Couple that to what has to be a nearly
ideally efficient embouchure (AND impeccable musicianship, not to be
overlooked, If he'd had no ear there'd have been NO "Move", NO "The Fugue"
or take your pick really) and you get, well...... a legend.
 
I also recommend (for POV ballast) looking closely at the sheer
effortlessness he exhibits on the (now very widely re-disseminated) Kenton
and '58 Newport videos.
 
We take a lot of enjoyment in disagreeing with each other over seemingly
endless minutiae and that'll never change, but I'd wager there's a whole
BUNCH of all 'four p's" in every TPIN members playing if there are  "FFFF"s
like Ferguson's taking place! 
 
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Good points, Rick.  And here's my second installment on contributing to the
seemingly endless minutiae on this particular topic ->   My assertion is
that Maynard used pressure more than others who play high and loud.  This
isn't a "bad" thing necessarily, it was just his individual way of playing
the horn.  Watch James Morrison play.  Watch Doc Severinsen play (admittedly
he's quite different, but he can certainly play high and loud).  Watch
really great lead players who can scream like Maynard and compare.  My
observation is that Maynard uses more pressure than others.  There's no
objective way to tell for sure, but I've seen him perform 5 times and I
always get the sense that his trumpet is going to crumble like a piece of
paper under his grip and force.  The guy played with so much incredible
energy!  And, if you've seen the picture on the back of M.F. Horn/3, I rest
my case.  You can't even see the rim of the mouthpiece on his bottom lip
because it's buried in his face.  I don't know what note he's playing with
those first two valves pressed down, but I can assure you it's really high
and really loud!  (to your point)
 
Cheers,
Mark Deaton