What is a ‘virtuoso’?

In the most recent episode of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast, I featured the great Rex Richardson, trumpet soloist extraordinaire.

Rex is based in Richmond, VA and since I had some business to attend to in Richmond recently, it worked out for us to meet in person to record!

One of the topics that came up is the topic of ‘virtuoso’ as it pertains to musicianship.

This is a concept that has intrigued me for many years.

Is ‘virtuoso’ a status one attains after performing/practicing the proverbial 10,000 hours it allegedly requires to attain mastery of a skill?

Is it a mindset that is required while putting in the 10,000 hours?

Is it a combination of the two?

It’s a subjective term when you really think about it, but I believe it really comes down to the impact one leaves on their audience while performing.

For example, I recently interviewed Chris Botti for the podcast, and also got to see his show afterward. I might have been the only person in the entire auditorium that could appreciate the technical virtuosity Chris has, but he had the entire audience in the palm of his hand the entire night.

That is the mark of a true virtuoso, in my humble but accurate opinion.

At any rate, Rex and I talked about that and a whole lot more.

Even if you’re not a trumpeter, I think you’ll be able to glean some value from this conversation.

Give it a listen at this link: https://jamesdnewcomb.com/tdrex