Description
Book SynopsisTitles in Dictionaries for the Modern Musician series offer both the novice and the advanced artist key information designed to convey the field of study and performance for a major instrument or instrument class, as well as the workings of musicians in areas from conducting to composing. Unlike other encyclopedic works, contributions to this series focus primarily on the knowledge required by the contemporary musical student or performer. Each dictionary covers topics from instrument parts to playing technique and major works to key figures. A must-have for any musician's personal library!Trumpeters today perform a vast repertoire of musical material spanning 500 years, much of it in a variety of styles and even on a number of related instruments. In A Dictionary for the Modern Trumpet Player, scholar and performer, Elisa Koehler has created a key reference work that addresses all of the instruments in the high brass family, providing ready answers to issues that trumpeters, conductor
Trade ReviewThe latest title in Rowman & Littlefield's Dictionaries for the Modern Musician series is aimed at students, teachers, and performers, and all are well served by its comprehensive treatment of the subject. A thoroughly cross-indexed dictionary of terms forms the major part of this work, but its appendixes and bibliography are far from minor. These include a time line of trumpet history, a gallery of valve diagrams, and a list of excerpts suitable for orchestra and opera auditions. The bibliography is extensive and includes biographies and autobiographies, historic sources, websites, and more. This very specialized source should be added to the repertoire of academic library collections serving music students as well as public library collections serving amateur and professional musicians. * Booklist *
Professional trumpeter Koehler offers loving fanfare about her chosen instrument, with entries on its key role in military matters (as in reveille) and various permutations (as bugle, cornet, etc.), as well as developmental milestones, most prominent/notable players (Louis Armstrong, et al), and more. Appendixes include illustrations of various valve mechanisms. VERDICT A terrific read for musicians and fans alike. * Library Journal *
This latest volume in the publisher's ‘Dictionaries for the Modern Musician’ series is a most welcome addition to the trumpet player's shelf. Aimed at the contemporary performer, the dictionary contains a wealth of historical information, covering biographies of important performers, composers, teachers, and makers; technical aspects of playing the trumpet (e.g., multiple tonguing); musical issues and markings, including foreign terms; and mechanical aspects of trumpet construction. Koehler treats her topic broadly, covering such closely related topics as the cornet, historical precursor instruments from centuries past, and composers only tangentially associated with trumpet literature. The illustrations—all original for this book—are quite useful, particularly those in the second appendix, which illustrate the various kinds of valve blocks that have been used over the centuries. . . .[T]he documentation is quite good. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels; general readers; professional musicians and music teachers. * CHOICE *
Elisa Koehler new book demonstrates her wonderful ability to convey and explain a wide range of information, some of it rather complex, to both informed and novice readerships. As the book is a dictionary, each of the hundreds of entries is limited in size, but Koehler has nevertheless managed to assemble a wide range of trumpet-related topics including famous players, composers, instruments, organological issues, performance practice, compositions, as well as key concepts and historical events. Drawing on the famous line, 'poetry is what poets write,' Elisa Koehler has constructed her dictionary to embrace the totality of the trumpet family as anything that the modern trumpet player plays. Rather than restricting the topic, as some taxonomic endeavors do, she has broadened it. * Historic Brass Society Journal *
One strength of this volume is the introduction of historical subjects such as performance practice, baroque versus natural trumpets and the use of vent holes without going into unnecessary and frequently confusing levels of detail. The inclusion of performers and composers from the former Soviet Union, many of whom are relatively unknown in the West, is also an asset. . . .A Dictionary for the Modern Trumpet Player will prove useful to undergraduate students who will encounter a host of unfamiliar terms during their studies. * s *
The many line drawings are very clear and accurate, nicely augmenting the text. Cross-references in bold type add much to the usefulness of definitions and historical accounts. The author’s depth of knowledge and experience with historical trumpet performance contribute to this volume. . . .The ‘Introduction’ is short, but packs in enough information for the novice reader to gain a good understanding of the history of the trumpet for more than the last 200 years. Students should read the introduction before using this dictionary to learn about certain terms. . . .I can conclude that this dictionary is a valuable tool to have on hand for the trumpet student or anyone else with interest. * American Musical Instrument Society *
This dictionary is an excellent blend of first-rate scholarship and readability. The history of the trumpet extends back centuries, and trumpet-like instruments are found in almost every culture and made from almost any material. Many of these instruments (e.g., the shofar, the abe.n) are given some notice, often with a very useful line drawing. Indeed, the text is liberally sprinkled with more than sixty line drawings (rather than photographs, which perhaps would have increased the cost) and music examples that helpfully illustrate terms or instruments discussed in the text, all rendered especially for this book…. Koehler’s text is a good indicator of the breadth of knowledge required to be a successful musician today…. Koehler’s Dictionary is a very welcome addition to the bookshelves of all trumpet players. * Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association *
Table of ContentsIntroduction List of Illustrations The Dictionary Appendix 1: Timeline of Trumpet History Appendix 2: Gallery of Valve Diagrams Appendix 3: Mute Classifications Appendix 4: Orchestra and Opera Audition Excerpts For Further Reading
