This version of Trumpet Lessons* (with an asterisk) extends the original improvisation that is part of a collection named Ten Dancing Cubicles. Both are the same length with this variation minutely, temporally, adjusted to enhance access to live performance by a traditional instrument.

The TDC improv is thus merged with the Trumpet score in 1/4 time and accessible via click track only to the performer during the performance. The synchronized backing tracks are played through a stereo sound system. To learn how the backing track has been generated, go to TDC for more information.

Trumpet Lessons* is in 1/4 throughout with measures grouped by numbers just below or above the staff lines to assist counting by the trumpeter to enables visual alignment between the waveform graphics and the traditionally notated trumpet line. These numbers are above, below or on the staff.

The improvised backing sounds are highly nuanced by nature but finely adjusted here linking gestural start points to a kind of temporal mesh (netting). This perceptual "trick" enables exact coordination between the live and fixed parts without the losing spontaneity in the backing sounds—a kind of sleight of hand simplfifying the live trumpet part while also producing a more complex audio summation.

The title of the originating improvisation, Trumpet Lessons, arrived while refining/editing the work in Prague at my Holešovice studio. As I edited the work, I was reminded of beginning trumpeters, especially kids, on the gym stage at St. Marks Elementary in Watertown, WI in about 1959. The man teaching, Mr Stamsted, had owned this trumpet (pictured above) purchased by his parents during WW2 and then later by my folks. With these dalliances in mind, I fancied writing a trumpet part to accompany my Prague screechings and here it is.

As I didn’t want the trumpet and prerecorded parts connected too loosely. As a video artist, I had developed methods over the last two years for tightly integrating improvised standalone mediums, i.e. film and improvisation, using a concept of temporal netting and knitting that I've applied to this short work.

RESOURCES
For volume control use Google Chrome
1. A quick look at the PDF score.
2. View/hear score video with click track
+ virtual trumpet.
3. To view/hear backing track + virtual
trumpet + click track.
4. View video score with backing track only.
5. Video score with backing + click tracks.
6. Video score with click track.
7. Video score with virtual trumpet.
8. Hear backing track (rehearsal aid).
9. Hear backing + click tracks (rehearsal aid).
10. Hear virtual trumpet + click. 
11. Hear Click track only.
12. Hear backing + virtual trumpet + Click
14. Hear virtual trumpet

Dan Senn (Prague-Watertown) is an intermedia artist working in music composition and production, kinetic sound sculpture, installation work, experimental and documentary film. He has been a professor of music and art in the United States and Australia and travels internationally as a lecturer, performer, producer and installation artist. He lives in Prague where he directs the Echofluxx Media Art festivals, and Watertown, Wisconsin, the USA, with his partner-collaborator, Caroline. Dan's work moves freely between expressive extremes and languages depending on the aesthetic joust at hand. He is cofounder of Roulette Intermedium in New York City (Brooklyn), Cascadia Composers of Portland Oregon, and the Echofluxx media festivals in Prague. (read more)