There are very few people of any generation as gifted as this young lady. I don't care where she on her lips she plays from the wonderful sound she produces is all that matters
A beautiful girl with a beautiful talent. Uplifting and joyous, her playing of the trumpet makes you want to stand up and cheer! Thank you! "Mike" Kelly Texas, USA
To those hating her trumpet placement you might not understand that trumpeters will do whatever placement produces the most ringing tone, the easiest movement, and the strongest force which all need to be delicately blended. As a former trumpet coach it matters not what the instrumentalist looks like...what matters is capacity and movement and the ease with which she plays. This effortless performance speaks to the god-given talent that has been honed with tens of thousands of hours of hard work. Most critical audiences are far more concerned with beauty of the music than with the beauty of the performer. Does her heart and passion come through? Do you sense her joy and the care with which she brings to each note? Those who are critical of her appearance I dare say cannot see or hear the beauty of what she is really doing with this music. And if you were to examine the placement of many fine trumpeters you will find that some place with head tilted forward or back, more top lip or more bottom lip in the mouth piece, or right to left, cheeks out, cheeks in...whatever it takes for the most critical audience of all: the artist and the composer.
I played this at all-state competition in high school in '87 and won. Yet, all these years later, I look at this young lady and see the ease and comfort with which she manages this piece and I am amazed and thankful that music education is still alive and well in our country.
The MAGNIFICENCE of Haydn 3rh. mvt. Trumpet concerto is a heavenly melody! Melissa Venema has the technical breath control that gives a flawless performance and delightful interpretation.
You see, these were the little technical nuances that I could never get my head around, which meant I only progressed so far as a cornet player. I'll always wonder whether, if I had been of a different mentality, I might have made a more accomplished brass musician? 🎶
I've listen to the Great Al Hirt, Harry James etc. etc. and she has knocked my socks off her playing rings like a bell, bravo sweet heart you've made my day.
I was first directed to her playing the WWII memorial piece, Il Silenzio, with Rieu. I was interested to see her other, later performances. I don't play any instrument, only my ears. I am immediately struck by the quality of this performance, and this, only as a listener. Amazing. Pay no attention to the trolls. Well done. Thank you.
I played this same piece as a featured soloist with my High School Band accompanying in my senior year in high school. I know it well, and this young woman's playing is as light, bright and technically clean, as well as correctly expressive as any I've EVER heard on this difficult piece of music. As for how she places the mouthpiece, there should be no concern or criticism. Every musician has to deal with their own particular various teeth and jaw structures and must place the cushion of the mouthpiece where it's possible to have the most comfort and efficient playing. Her results speak for themselves .... Bravo Melissa!!!!!
Great performance by Melissa, but also the orchestra being conducted by possibly the coolest conductor ever. The guy wears a bandana & looks kinda badass lol. I really loved the whole direction of this classical masterpiece.
I played trumpet for 7 years. I was good. I was first chair most of the time. I went to All-State Band. To do what Melissa does with such ease, clarity and accuracy is, in my opinion, stupendous. If I had ever played 1/10th as well, I would have blown the room away.
+Derek Lacasse What? You're nuts. Some historical zombie allegedly suffered for a weekend and then lived in paradise forever because there was NO other way for an omnipotent being to forgive sin? Really? Sounds sane somewhere I suppose.
+jjaus This is why RU-vid sucks. Threads are incomprehensible. I said I played the trumpet. I said I liked this piece - 3rd Movement Haydn Trumpet Concerto by Melissa Venema.Someone else told me that Jesus loves me.And you call Jesus a historical zombie.There WAS a time in the world of the internet when people had to be "on topic." NOT "off topic."It would have been a no-no to mention Jesus in a thread, and even more, to call Jesus a zombie.So, I like this music. One moron chimes in to tell me that Jesus loves me, and a dimmer bulb takes the bait and has a snit-fit Jesus zombie episode.Back to the subject. This trumpet concerto. Jesus the historical zombie loves me. I am fine with it. What can you say about this performance and Melissa? Report Statistics
Steven Fredrik I came to this link to watch a fucking video of music which I enjoyed. I am then confronted by some fuckwit inserting Jesus into it and that annoyed me which is why I had a go.
I used to play with a kid who's embouchure was to the side like that... he always sat one chair behind me. ;) I think this was 10th grade Solos & Ensembles piece. Lots of good memories.
That was wonderful. To think I just became aware of your work now [2018]. Looking forward to more. I came here from a video of you performing Il Silenzio, in turn from a string of Italian soft-pop performances. This sort of thing is what RU-vid is best at and now I've discovered a great new-to-me trumpeter.
To those purists who criticise her emboucher, may I point out that one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time played with a busted instrument, namely Dizzy Gillespie. My advice to Melissa is ignore the critics and keep getting better and better,
I knew a guy who played with the same puffed out cheeks as Dizzy Gillespie, and it worked for him so I'll definitely second that "whatever works," sentiment.
Astounding!!!! Superb!!!! Dear Melissa , white just one criticized you hundreds of people gave YOU a big hand 🤚.... YOU play beautifully, that's what matters!!!! A big kiss in your heart ❤️. Much L❤️VE! (*_*)
Fantastic!! Hyden for compositing such a brilliant piece of music and also to this lady, for handling it so well! It can't be an easy part to play. I know . I'm a frustrated cornet player which is the brass band equivalent of the trumpet.
This girl rocks! I spent 15 years in band and orchestra (trumpet) and she's right up there with the best of them: hirt, ferguson, armstrong, davis, botti.
Some of us have mouths that are built in such a way that it would be physically damaging to our embouchure to play in the center. She knows what she's doing
I had a nice talk with Chris Coletti about this. When I first shifted to the side, I noticed an instant improvement in range and tone. It's the same for Chris. His tone is remarkable and so few could every hope to achieve such excellence. It really just boils down to how your mouth is set up.
If you just close your eyes and listen to the heavenly sound you wouldn't know that her embouchure is offset, so what does it matter. She produces some of the finest sounds ever from a trumpet.
Please publish more! I beleive you will be in the history of music. I like that there is no no fuss in your style. But always there are precision and exquisiteness.
On ne peut se lasser d'écouter cette merveilleuse trompettiste,quelle que soit son interprétation musicale.Pour ma part,c'est toujours un régal de suivre son évolution depuis ses plus jeunes années...Mille Bravos d'Ermite29 !!!
I remember watching her first videos as a little girl. that mouth piece to the right of her lips. well, whatever works for you is my philosophy. she plays beautiful! I have been playing seriously since 1990. I SUCK compared to her. practice makes perfect and Gods Grace can't hurt either.
i wish i knew what your techniques were melissa, as a young teenager i want to learn, i've kinda set the standards high but it would be lovely to talk with you
i had a huge overbite before getting braces and still went to school and went on be a better player in the end. All you have to do is practice and this girl shows that any sort of flaws you can overcome it. WAY TO GO
Excellent! I hope to hear Melissa at a concert one day, but it's great to be able to enjoy this on RU-vid. I recently heard Alison Balsam perform this in London, so I wonder if they've ever met each other, or played together? It's good to have such fine musicians bringing more attention to trumpet music. Best wishes to Melissa as she grows in her art!
Pisses me off that a visiting instructor told me I was playing wrong when I had a side mouth style in high school. That really led me to believe that I could never reach a high level with my playing even though I sat first chair in one of the best wind ensembles in the state. Glad to see this now at least.
First saw her with Andre Rieu, she not only has become a fabulous trumpet player,wouldn't want to separate her and Alison Balsam. But she has become a very attractive woman.
Great job! I'm a trumpet player, and I'm a music major in college. I'm 19, and I'm still not at a high enough level to play music like this. I had to do an embouchure change a few months ago, because my mouthpiece placement was too low, and I had a range ceiling that I couldn't get past no matter what I tried. Changing my placement has worked for me, but it might not work for everyone. Just as long as the results are consistently clear and beautiful, the placement doesn't matter.