Introduction

Music occurs in all cultures. There are thousands of musical cultures. The familiar notion that music is a universal language is more of an ideologically charged Western idea than scientific proof of the existence of a universal musical language. Studies have shown, however, that universal musical characteristics do exist. It is possible that universal traits in music are manifestations of universal traits in human behavior in general.

The Global Breath artistic research project examines whether the trumpet sound is also such a universal trait.

Research

The project began with the dream of trumpeter Marco Blaauw to create a trumpet sound that moves continuously around the earth, connecting the world’s many cultures. A global breath – an archaic tone of great symbolic value representing a common fundamental link between all the peoples of this planet.

To place the dream of a worldwide trumpet sound on solid ground, he initiated an international research project as the first phase of Global Breath, which provides a unique look into the major traditions, customs, and sounds of the trumpet and other lip reed instruments.
The hypothesis of this research is that there exists the potential of sending a trumpet sound around the world that can be understood by anyone who hears it along the way.

The research objective is to answer whether the trumpet sound is a phenomenon that fundamentally appeals to all people.
The research’s purpose is to answer whether the trumpet sound can be a unifying influence for all people who hear it.

The research consists of a series of interviews with trumpeters around the world who have achieved iconic importance on the instrument and can be considered pioneers, as well as prominent indigenous instrumentalists and music archaeologists.

The interviews follow a semi-structured catalog of questions that address the perception of sound and the players’ social, geographical, and political environments, documenting their personal history and special playing techniques and genres.

Beginning in November 2015, Blaauw has filmed 16 interviews and traveled to Australia, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Scotland, Serbia, and the United States. The project has produced hours of fascinating and valuable material, as well as many more leads and questions to pursue.

The following steps include the official launch of the Global Breath website, the continuing processing of video and sound material for the archive and future publications, and the planning of the subsequent interviews and research trips to Africa and South America.

Meanwhile, many results of this research are being used for realizing new works and projects with a great diversity in creators, musicians, and listeners. The Global Trumpets Festival is one of them!