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Graham Breedlove says, “Quit Laughing and Start Practicing”
Graham Breedlove
Jazz Times magazine writes: "Breedlove has chops...and is the leader of a tight, forceful band". The International Trumpet Guild's Journal raves, "...one of the most exciting trumpet players on the planet!" Graham’s compositions have been featured on NBC’s Today show, Food Network’s Emeril Live and the Washington Post has called it “...terrific...with luminous, fine-grained autumnal harmonies...”. Currently a trumpet soloist with the Army Blues in Washington, DC, Breedlove has performed with The Saturday Night Live Band, Ray Charles, Ramsey Lewis, Doc Severinsen and Mariah Carey. Breedlove has appeared on over 200 recordings, including back-to-back Grammy winning CDs in 2004 and 2005, and his own CD “Coming Home”, available on iTunes and at Amazon.com.
THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS
Warming up is of the utmost performance. Being prepared physically is essential to being prepared mentally.
For every hour a musician spends in the spotlight, there are countless hours spent in the shadows, doing the little things required to be successful.
If you're just doing what you know you do well in the practice room, chances are you're not getting any real work done.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
"You can't control a lot of things, but you can control how much you prepare."
"You can fool just about everyone at some point, but you can never fool yourself."
THE HOT SEAT
Q: It’s 5 minutes before you go on stage for an important performance… What are you doing?
A: Closing my eyes, visualizing what it will take to be successful for however long I'll be on stage.
Q: What’s the best performance-related advice you've ever received?
A: Preparation is a choice.
Q: Can you share one tip for our listeners to help deal with stage fright? (Physical, mental, etc.)
A: Same answer. Anxiety stems from not feeling prepared, or expecting to struggle with certain things. The more prepared you are, the more convinced you'll be that you can be successful.
Q: What’s a non-musical activity that contributes to your success as a musician?
A: Mountain biking and woodworking.
Q: Imagine you’re on stage. It’s the end of the performance and the audience is on its feet, applauding. They don’t want any more and they don’t want any less. Everything is perfect. What have you just done?
A: I always love playing in the Kennedy Center. I want to exceed people's expectations with my performance. I love playing trumpet so much, it really doesn't matter who I play with!
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Graham Breedlove
Jazz Times magazine writes: "Breedlove has chops...and is the leader of a tight, forceful band". The International Trumpet Guild's Journal raves, "...one of the most exciting trumpet players on the planet!" Graham’s compositions have been featured on NBC’s Today show, Food Network’s Emeril Live and the Washington Post has called it “...terrific...with luminous, fine-grained autumnal harmonies...”. Currently a trumpet soloist with the Army Blues in Washington, DC, Breedlove has performed with The Saturday Night Live Band, Ray Charles, Ramsey Lewis, Doc Severinsen and Mariah Carey. Breedlove has appeared on over 200 recordings, including back-to-back Grammy winning CDs in 2004 and 2005, and his own CD “Coming Home”, available on iTunes and at Amazon.com.
THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS
Warming up is of the utmost performance. Being prepared physically is essential to being prepared mentally.
For every hour a musician spends in the spotlight, there are countless hours spent in the shadows, doing the little things required to be successful.
If you're just doing what you know you do well in the practice room, chances are you're not getting any real work done.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
"You can't control a lot of things, but you can control how much you prepare."
"You can fool just about everyone at some point, but you can never fool yourself."
THE HOT SEAT
Q: It’s 5 minutes before you go on stage for an important performance… What are you doing?
A: Closing my eyes, visualizing what it will take to be successful for however long I'll be on stage.
Q: What’s the best performance-related advice you've ever received?
A: Preparation is a choice.
Q: Can you share one tip for our listeners to help deal with stage fright? (Physical, mental, etc.)
A: Same answer. Anxiety stems from not feeling prepared, or expecting to struggle with certain things. The more prepared you are, the more convinced you'll be that you can be successful.
Q: What’s a non-musical activity that contributes to your success as a musician?
A: Mountain biking and woodworking.
Q: Imagine you’re on stage. It’s the end of the performance and the audience is on its feet, applauding. They don’t want any more and they don’t want any less. Everything is perfect. What have you just done?
A: I always love playing in the Kennedy Center. I want to exceed people's expectations with my performance. I love playing trumpet so much, it really doesn't matter who I play with!