Role of a Performer: Louis Armstrong 
Fig. 1: Louis Daniel ArmstrongFor this blog, I am going to dive into the fascinating world of Louis Armstrong. As someone who has been playing the trumpet since the age of 9, Louis Armstrong is hands down one of my favorite trumpet players. To give some background to this iconic figure, Louis Armstrong could be described as a trumpet player that presented "a stage personality uncomfortably close to the lovable clown" (Collier 3). His presence must of been so joyful to be around.
Well, Louis Armstrongs story begins in the heart of New Orleans. On the day of August 4th, 1901 a legend was born ("Lous Armstrong Biography"). Jazz is what Armstrong is most known for, he plays both the cornet and trumpet. When it comes to jazz, he "was the driving force in the development from traditional New Orleans ensemble playing to the prominent role of the jazz soloist" (Stein 1). Armstrong is clearly an icon when it comes to music because "he was becoming a phenomenon" (Kratz). By the time he was in his twenty's, his name was creating waves.
Pitch
Within the piece of What A Wonderful World, while Armstrong's voice is in key F, it is a lower octave compared to the instruments in the background. His voice is lower sounding, such as in the beginning when he says "I see trees of GREEN", it is when he says "green" that the octave is raised. As it continues, it's like the octave starts to get lower and lower till the chorus. It is then heightened again. The background instruments are carrying a pitch that is very soft and higher octave.
Melody
The melody of this song is so nostalgic for me. Every piece of the music can carry me away back to my childhood. The vocals and instruments complement each other very nicely to create this melody. The way Armstrong sings this song along with the lyrics could literally bring tears in my eyes especially when he sings "what a wonderful world" because it really is. Sometimes people don't look around and appreciate the beauty in which they are apart of in Mother Nature in this world. The pattern of the chorus goes along well with the instruments because it creates a pattern but the verses are just as impactful as the chorus.
When The Saints Go Marching In composed by unknown, late 19th or early 20th century, United States.
Rhythm
I really enjoy this song because of the high-energy rhythm. It is so fast-paced but in the best way possible. This is a very lively swing. He could even play the rhythm of this song on his trumpet in a beautiful way.
Form
The form of this song is very catchy because it repeats the chorus with a nice verse. It is when he signs "when the saints go marching in", this is where he has the crowd work and makes them repeat this.
When I was in the first grade, my teacher would put on Louis Armstrong as we colored or read silently to ourselves. This was my first impression of him and even then, I was mesmerized. Armstrong's voice is very unique and distinct. I was nine years old when I learned how to play the trumpet because they ran out of saxophones and I had no other choice. I didn't expect myself to fall so deeply in love with playing (I continued playing the trumpet till I was fifteen years old). As I was watched and read about the impact Armstrong has made in his time, I was starting to get lonesome for the trumpet because of how well he plays. I am grateful I picked this performer because it reminds me how precious instrumental skills are such as Louis Armstrongs.
Work Cited
Collier, James Lincoln, Louis Armstrong An American Genius. Oxford University Press Inc., 1983. Google Books., https://books.google.com/bookshl=en&lr=&id=7iznCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=louis+armstrong+biography&ots=0FH6XGsaJI&sig=sRwj2tUCV1sik6sjN0W-tbvSeRY#v=onepage&q=louis%20armstrong%20biography&f=false
Fig. [1], "Louis Armstrong". Wikipedia, 29 Mar. 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong
Kratz, Jessie. "Louis Armstrong: Harlem Renaissance Pioneer". National Archives, 14 Feb. 2024., https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2024/02/14/louis-armstrong-harlem-renaissance-pioneer/
"Louis Armstrong Biography." Louis Armstrong House, 2026, https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/biography/, accessed 4 Apr, 2026.
Stein, Daniel. Music is My Life: Louis Armstrong., The University of Michigan Press Ann Arbor, 2012, Google Books, https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FJdFDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=louis+armstrong+biography+&ots=elYvebfoHK&sig=AJGWkmwQ6SnkR7hi7jpTDSaFChQ#v=onepage&q=louis%20armstrong%20biography&f=false
No comments:
Post a Comment