David S. Miller, Trumpet

David S. Miller

Welcome to my little trumpet page. I found that there was a link to this particular URL from ITG, so I figured I had better turn it into some sort of trumpet page! This page used to be an extension from my earlier website. I currently have an extensive page on Paul Tanner (trombonist and Electro-Thereminist) at the Paul Tanner Electro-Theremin Page. My main domain is electrotheremin.com. To e-mail me, click HERE.

My main trumpet website, an historical look at the Vincent Bach trumpet, is Dave's Bach Trumpet Page

and my My Space page can be found here, www.myspace.com/davestrumpet

Here's the blurb from my MySpace page:

"Multi-instrumentalist, specializing in trumpet performance. Styles include orchestral, jazz, experimental, and avant-garde. Electronic music historian and contributor to several major written works in the field of early electronic music (Glinsky, et al), specifically the theremin and electro-theremin. Contributor to noted trumpet professor, John J. Haynie's latest book, "Inside John Haynie's Studio." Composer, having contributed to projects for Sundance Channel. Trumpet designer and builder. Maker of custom trumpet parts, namely custom tuning slides. Musical instrument repair technician. Avid photographer and former member of PSA where David represented the US (along with only three other photographers from the US) in a world-wide photojournalism exhibition. David plays the theremin and has premiered works with noted thereminist, Lydia Kavina. David has produced three CD recordings for the late Russian trumpet virtuoso, Timofei Dokshizer and published two trumpet books by Mr. Dokshizer. David also enjoys looping and creating techno music in his free time. David is also a Tetris master."

My main trumpet teachers are John J. Haynie, Wynton Marsalis, Dan Tolley, Paul Mansur, and Jerome Callet. I also feel a major influence from Timofei Dokshizer, who I have had the pleasure to get to know through letters and phone calls, but have not studied with personally.

I reside in Shreveport, LA, where my daytime gig is as a musical instrument repair technician and I am also a longtime member of AFM Local 116, which allows me to get out and gig. I am a member of Longview (Texas) Symphony Orchestra and do many free-lance jobs both in Louisiana and Texas, mostly "legit". I also developed my own custom trumpet tuning slides based on the early NY Bach trumpet.

My equipment includes mostly Bach instruments (from a 1920's large bore model to the most current C trumpet model). I perform mostly on instruments I have either built or totally customized ("converted"). My conversion trumpets are based on early Bach trumpets. As for mouthpieces: I used to play on a Bach 1 1/2B for many years, then I lost 100 pounds (still have kept the weight off, btw) and the mpc just didn't feel right. Went from there to a 1 1/4C (I remember at the time we were doing some heavy duty Mahler stuff in orchestra). From there to a 3 C (have learned there are BIG differences in this particular mpc through the years). After talking to Doc Severinsen I gave the Laskey mpc's a try and I am currently using a Laskey 65MC for most of what I play. For piccolo trumpet, I use a Stork 2P. For cornet, Wick 4B.

My early goals were to be a jazz musician (jazz only). I count myself very fortunate to have had many good teachers. My plan was to study as much "classical" trumpet as possible, knowing that it could only help to improve my jazz playing, and that it did; but at the same time, I realized that I could also play "classical". John Haynie was probably the biggest influence on me in this regard. We covered MUCH territory- from cornet, piccolo, natural trumpet to jazz, bebop, modern classic, etc., etc. I studied with Haynie for five years (1989-93). Be sure to read John's new book, Inside John Haynie's Studio: A Master Teacher's Lessons on Trumpet and Life I have a couple of entries in the book as do many of Haynie's other students through the years. It's a great read and constantly reminds me of all I learned in those lessons in Denton.

I list Wynton Marsalis as a teacher, because I can only consider him as such. Often, we would get together, if just to chat "trumpet". My longest lesson was a three hour long private lesson in Ft. Worth in 1987. Wynton is one of the most generous people in the music business. He is an incredible educator as well as musician.

My stint with Jerome Callet was only a couple of lessons at his studio in the middle of NYC. Though I can't say I use much of his technique in my own playing, he did teach me quite a bit about trumpet embouchures. These lessons were back in 1985. One thing he did that truly amazed me (and still does when I think about it) was he positioned his finger tips around my formed embouchure while I played an ascending exercise and I played the most highest with the least effort I have ever played. This was to illustrate the correct use of the muscles of the embouchure- the correct "compression" of muscles inward. It sure was an eye-opener!

Timofei Dokshizer is a major influence. Though many people in the US may not know it, he has published tons of music and books. I use all these materials. His "Sequence" book is a collection of technical etudes in all keys. His "Images Romantiques" is a collection of 20 melodic etudes, most of which are based on the sequences. The "Images Romantiques" etudes make excellent solo performance pieces, btw, or several can be combined to create a suite. Both books are now published by Editions Marc Reift. The best place to obtain these materials (as well as the entire Timofei Dokshizer Collection published by Edition Marc Reift) is Solid Brass Music Company. "Images Romantiques" is also available on CD (MARCOPHON CD 945-2). The best place to order any of the Dokshizer MARCOPHON recordings is from my friends at Tap Music Sales. You'll find the entire MARCOPHON catalog there as well as some other pretty obscure Dokshizer recordings.

I'll add more info as I get a chance. Please check back. THANKS! more to come....... This page currently under construction

Be sure to visit my current trumpet page:

Dave's Trumpet Page