Just a quick note to say that credit information and lyrics have now been published onto:
www.theedgemusic.co.uk
Follow links to "in depth" and click corresponding track titles.
Also "Equinox" now available on bandcamp. Visit:
www.benthomastrumpet.com
and follow the relevant link.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
New Album Release
It brings me great pleasure to announce the release of "Dark Scrawls" by The Edge. This is the second album release by The Edge (the first being "We All Fall Down"). It has taken me a good 2 years to get this album together but I hope it has been worth the wait. I am really pleased with it and am so grateful to all of the musicians who took part and made such amazing contributions. Some of the recording processes were often slightly unconventional (to say the least) and I was lucky to find musicians who trusted me enough to allow for some experimentation when required.
The album itself is available from my own websites in both digital and hard copy formats. It is also available from all major digital download stores (links on sites below).
The Edge
Dark Scrawls
(2011)
Vocals-Emily Wright
Vocals-Ruth Hammond
Vocals-Catherine Sykes
Vocals-Laura Collins
Trumpet-Ben Thomas
Bass Clarinet-Lee Goodall
Saxophone-Emily Preston
Saxophone-Nicky Jaques
Guitar-James Chadwick
Piano-Tom Greenhalf
Double Bass-Erika Lyons
Drums-Scott Hammond
www.theedgemusic.co.uk
www.benthomastrumpet.com
The album itself is available from my own websites in both digital and hard copy formats. It is also available from all major digital download stores (links on sites below).
The Edge
Dark Scrawls
(2011)
Vocals-Emily Wright
Vocals-Ruth Hammond
Vocals-Catherine Sykes
Vocals-Laura Collins
Trumpet-Ben Thomas
Bass Clarinet-Lee Goodall
Saxophone-Emily Preston
Saxophone-Nicky Jaques
Guitar-James Chadwick
Piano-Tom Greenhalf
Double Bass-Erika Lyons
Drums-Scott Hammond
www.theedgemusic.co.uk
www.benthomastrumpet.com
Thursday, 7 October 2010
We All Fall Down
In 2008 trumpeter Ben Thomas began recording the album We All Fall Down. This collection of songs featured Ben's compositions and arrangements set to the lyrics of jazz singer Laura Collins who also sang lead vocals for the album. The album also features contributions from Tom Greenhalf (piano), Erika Lyons (double bass), Scott Hammond (drums) and Emily Preston (saxophone). We All Fall Down was released in 2009.
Tall stories, bad dreams and Chinese whispers set the literary scene whilst a dark fantasy context provides the obscure concept. The ethereal ambiance of songs Palace Of Gold, Red, Cinderella and the mysterious Dame Gothel conjures make believe characters living in a bizarre imaginary world. In contrast, the paranoid and perplexing Blackout, Freud Plays Bad Noise and the disturbing tones of We All Fall Down pursue and reflect the curious yet flawed states of the human condition. A story is being told here, but not one that is apparently obvious. The lilting and often haunting sounds provide a suitable backdrop to the ambiguous and compelling narrative.
We All Fall Down is available from all major digital download and streaming stores and can be purchased as a CD from selected shops.
theedgemusic.co.uk
bandcamp
iTunes
Tall stories, bad dreams and Chinese whispers set the literary scene whilst a dark fantasy context provides the obscure concept. The ethereal ambiance of songs Palace Of Gold, Red, Cinderella and the mysterious Dame Gothel conjures make believe characters living in a bizarre imaginary world. In contrast, the paranoid and perplexing Blackout, Freud Plays Bad Noise and the disturbing tones of We All Fall Down pursue and reflect the curious yet flawed states of the human condition. A story is being told here, but not one that is apparently obvious. The lilting and often haunting sounds provide a suitable backdrop to the ambiguous and compelling narrative.
We All Fall Down is available from all major digital download and streaming stores and can be purchased as a CD from selected shops.
theedgemusic.co.uk
bandcamp
iTunes
Friday, 1 October 2010
Most Important Meal Of The Day (Preliminary)
I never used to eat breakfast. It would be quite normal for me to avoid eating a single morsel until well past noon, especially after a late night finish (and occasional curry) the night before. I have however in more recent years decided to change this misguided habit. My wise decision to do so has contributed to stark improvements in many aspects of my life-namely greater fitness and energy levels and an increased sense of general well being (a better quality of life).
Other than impacting my own day to day condition, this seemingly mindless (and minor) observation would appear to offer no wider relevance and certainly present no apparent consequences to the art of trumpet playing. However, I strongly believe this "Breakfast Theory" can also be applied to a committed daily trumpet routine. In my opinion a carefully constructed trumpet breakfast (warm-up) combined with diligent and regular execution can provide the perfect platform for a flawless and effortless technique.
On a daily basis, I aim to begin my practice routine at the first opportunity. If time restrictions permit you to practice for only a short time, always make sure you warm-up first, even if this is all you manage to do. Never dive straight into demanding and technical areas without having warmed up first as this will prove to become counter productive.
The first note is very important. I always begin the same way every day-mid range-not too loud or quiet. Focus on a steady stream of unbroken air passing through the horn and always a full and beautiful tone. Following the simple exercise (Warm-Up 1) below, take a deep breath, imagine the pitch and execute a nice, clean articulation. Play this exercise 3 times with 2-3 minute intervals allowing the embouchure and breathing apparatus to recuperate and adjust.
This is the first part of the warm-up which features 3 sections in total. I will focus on the next part very soon.
benthomastrumpet.com
Other than impacting my own day to day condition, this seemingly mindless (and minor) observation would appear to offer no wider relevance and certainly present no apparent consequences to the art of trumpet playing. However, I strongly believe this "Breakfast Theory" can also be applied to a committed daily trumpet routine. In my opinion a carefully constructed trumpet breakfast (warm-up) combined with diligent and regular execution can provide the perfect platform for a flawless and effortless technique.
On a daily basis, I aim to begin my practice routine at the first opportunity. If time restrictions permit you to practice for only a short time, always make sure you warm-up first, even if this is all you manage to do. Never dive straight into demanding and technical areas without having warmed up first as this will prove to become counter productive.
The first note is very important. I always begin the same way every day-mid range-not too loud or quiet. Focus on a steady stream of unbroken air passing through the horn and always a full and beautiful tone. Following the simple exercise (Warm-Up 1) below, take a deep breath, imagine the pitch and execute a nice, clean articulation. Play this exercise 3 times with 2-3 minute intervals allowing the embouchure and breathing apparatus to recuperate and adjust.
benthomastrumpet.com
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
I Am Trumpet
I think it's fair to say that I find it extremely difficult to imagine life devoid of daily trumpet practice. For as long as I can remember I have taken time each day (usually between 2-4 hours) to put myself through the rigors and demands of what I expect to have to undertake during my next performance or session. The schedule always begins with a 20 minute warm-up. This drill is the same every time and provides me with the same wholesome contentment that I receive from a warm and hearty breakfast.
The first note of the day is so important. From the outset my one and only aim is to think and play musically. Beautiful and fully supported tone with clear articulations ensure technical elements naturally fall into place throughout a wide range. Following my warm-up I turn my attention towards the many varied aspects of trumpet playing. Depending on what mood I am in or more importantly what I feel requires most current attention I practice different routines every day covering all areas on a weekly basis including tonging, endurance, long tones, scales (my favourite), sight reading, the list goes on and on.
The deep thinkers among you will of course identify an excessive and compulsive dependency to such a repetitive and obsessive work method. Having explored the alternative (blow and hope via no practice) and to have bore witness to the less than satisfactory results it is however (for myself) a necessary approach. I believe that the trumpet is one of the most expressive instruments. Just like vocalists the tonal characteristics of each individual trumpet sound are unique and demonstrate the quirks and personality of the player. To maintain such a demanding dedication to the trumpet it is imperative to carry a deep joy for this instrument and to posses a continued excitement and curiosity of discovering new things.
benthomastrumpet.com
The first note of the day is so important. From the outset my one and only aim is to think and play musically. Beautiful and fully supported tone with clear articulations ensure technical elements naturally fall into place throughout a wide range. Following my warm-up I turn my attention towards the many varied aspects of trumpet playing. Depending on what mood I am in or more importantly what I feel requires most current attention I practice different routines every day covering all areas on a weekly basis including tonging, endurance, long tones, scales (my favourite), sight reading, the list goes on and on.
The deep thinkers among you will of course identify an excessive and compulsive dependency to such a repetitive and obsessive work method. Having explored the alternative (blow and hope via no practice) and to have bore witness to the less than satisfactory results it is however (for myself) a necessary approach. I believe that the trumpet is one of the most expressive instruments. Just like vocalists the tonal characteristics of each individual trumpet sound are unique and demonstrate the quirks and personality of the player. To maintain such a demanding dedication to the trumpet it is imperative to carry a deep joy for this instrument and to posses a continued excitement and curiosity of discovering new things.
benthomastrumpet.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)