Erik Martinez
ENG-101
Modest-Trumpet Player
If one were to go to a symphonic concert, she/he would see a variety of characters being
portrayed amongst the instruments-the civilized and proper woodwinds, the uniform violinist and
violists, the emotional cellists, he jokers, the french horns and trombones. And aside from the
confident conductor, one would most likely see the confident and arrogant trumpet players,
walking with the most prideful march. Trumpet players have the reputation of being the most
egotistical players out there. Thankfully, Id like to say I am a trumpet player who isnt arrogant
or egotistical. I can be a confident trumpet player and musician without fitting the trumpet player
stereotype.
Throughout my short musical career, Ive met a countless number of cocky trumpet
players. I thought all trumpet players were like that. To me the only modest trumpet players were
really good jazz trumpet players. There was always a trumpet player who was one of my
classmates. His name was Brandon, and he fit this stereotype very well. He found it necessary to
put me down whenever I was playing. Even if I was playing correctly, he would point something
wrong. Ill admit, at the time he was superior than I ever thought I would be, and therefore I
decided to listen to his advice. Little did he know he was helping me surpass him. The way he
treated me made me very angry. Thats the only reason I decided to practice and get better on
trumpet. When I finally surpassed him, I never gloated, however, life has a way of doing it on its
own. Freshman would come up to me and ask for advice and tell me I was the best trumpet
player at Badger, my high school. I would thank them for the compliment but tell them hard
work pays off and they could easily surpass me. It felt good to receive those death glares from
my classmate, not because I was better, but because it was that very attitude that motivated me
and wanted to prove to others that you could be a trumpet player without being cocky.
Thankfully the world isnt filled with cocky trumpet players. Ive had the opportunity to
play with some laid back trumpet players. Theres a cool cat in Milwaukee whos currently a
Erik Martinez
ENG-101
junior in high school, but at the time a freshman going into his sophomore year, who could easily
play better than me any day. His name is Travis Drow. He has some iron chops, yet he never
made anyone feel inferior to him on purpose. He would always give advice to anyone who asked
for it. He would say it in such a friendly way that made you thirsted for more. He was confident
in his playing but knew if he wanted to learn he had to open up to everyone, which brings me to
my next point.
Because trumpet players are extremely confident, it makes it hard for them to listen to
anyone else. They think they cant learn from anybody; but themselves and the most talented
musicians. The irony is that the best musicians always tell students that they can learn from
anybody. This goes back to my earlier story in which my classmate was giving me a hard time, I
know that if I wanted to get better, I would have to listen to everything that anyone especially
anything someone better than me, would tell me. Sadly, even after I surpassed him, he never
listened to a word I would tell him. I tried to give him constructive criticism, but it would only
make him mad. To make things worse, my band director would tell me to give him a few lessons
to further help him to develop. It wasnt meant as an insult, but he thought I was mocking him,
and that only made him dislike me even more. This continued for three years. Thankfully last
year he decided to finally listen to me, and he ended up getting a lot better, and was able to play
some music better than me. Although, hell never admit it, I know I was able to give him some
advice. He continued to listen to me but gave me terrible attitude. I still continue to listen to any
advice anyone gives me because I know it will only make me better. Thats a lesson I learned
from Travis. I knew he understood this concept and it was a reason for his success. The way he
listened to me whenever I had something to say not only made me feel important, but he would
try to dissect every word and learn something new. I still struggle with that because, ironically, I
Erik Martinez
ENG-101
worry too much about trying to improve. A reason trumpet players dont listen to others advice is
simply because trumpet players can be extremely rude and obnoxious.
I think Ive seen some of the most absurd trumpet payers. Ive seen some trumpet players
who are plain disgusting and others who dont respect other musicians, and even one trumpet
player who didnt respect our director. My freshman year, my section leader, Robert, was the
definition of disgusting. He would belch as loud as he would play his trumpet. He would fart in
class and he would shove classmates to his armpits so they would get a whiff of his horrific body
odor. This showed me that he had no respect for the environment of the band and his classmates.
He was a bully and thought he could get away with it because he was better than all of us and
because of it we had to listen to him. I also got to know a trumpet player by the name of
Amanda. She had so much talent. Sadly, if the director ever said something she didnt like she
would scream at him. She would tell him how stupid things were and didnt respect anything
he would say. She would yell at him for being stupid because she showed no respect for him,
and because of this attitude, I know she wont get far in her career, and she taught me that I have
to respect everyone in order to become the trumpet player I want to become.
Theres no doubt I want to be the very best trumpet player ever; however, Ive learned
that there are some important steps I have to take. First I have to learn to be modest at all times
and never let myself get a head. Next, I have to learn that I can learn from anyone. It doesnt
matter if they are better or worse than me. I can learn anything from anyone. Finally, I have to
respect all my peers and those above me. I cant argue with anyone simply because I disagree. I
understand that I can be a confident player without fitting the stereotype of being a cocky
trumpet player.