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He could already do the exercises... "I have a personal horn playing friend and mentor, who has the most amazing chops on the planet. He's played free lance professional for many years, but chose not to pursue a full time music career. He's studied with some high level professionals who have admitted to envying his ability to play well beyond the normal range of the instrument with a beautiful tone effortlessly, w/o any need for resetting or such. Anyway, when I introduced BE to him, he read the book, tried the exercises and shrugged it off like it was nothing new. He said that's the way he's ALWAYS played. I didn't believe him so I made an appointment with him to go through the exercises one by one. Sure enough, he executed every single exercise -- LCS, ROs, RIs, TOL, etc. -- perfectly the first time, down to the finest detail. Now that's what I would call a naturally balanced embouchure. He doesn't need BE, but I can't help but wondering what would happen if he ever did use it." Valerie Wells She deserved better... "Many years ago, I worked with a 13-year-old student. She was a weak player. But even worse, she had no self-esteem, as both of her parents were drug addicts, forcing her to live with her grandparents. I showed her some BE stuff, and she quickly adapted to bunching the chin, as it worked for her very well. In short order, she was first chair. She began to beam, as the trumpet was her ticket to coming out of her shell. She was about to move up to high school, and the HS director came over to audition the new kids. I stood outside the room as she played easily up to G top of staff, with a great tone. She nailed the audition, and walked out with a big smile. As the director came out, I said "How did it go?" "She played good," he muttered, "but we have to do something about that chin." On several levels, I was just stunned. The magnitude of his ignorance..." Jeff Smiley More to come... |