mheffernen5

trickg

I have learned more from playing alongside of other fine players and by just focusing on what is coming out of the end of my horn than I have ever learned from an instructor. Call it the "School of Life" or whatever, but if you are self aware and are paying attention, you will learn trememdous amounts from what is going on around you. In a sense, every player that I talk to becomes and instructor because I take the time to listen and learn.

Then again, maybe that's why I'm just a section, utility player. I've never really defined my own style. Instead, I play by expressing through emulation of something that I have heard before. Even if I've never heard it before, I may have heard something like it and therefore I can emulate it.

This doesn't mean that I don't value a good instructor, because there comes a time where that is certainly a tool that can be used to move you to the next level.

__________________
Patrick Gleason
email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
"At my signal, unleash hell."
- Maximus Decimus Meridius

trickg

Hmmm.....I was doing a search on "Don Jacoby" when I came upon this thread. I look at my comments from back in April, and I think about some of the things that I have learned just recently, and although I still agree with my earlier comments, my ideas about needing a good instructor have changed after 1 great lesson with a good instructor. The reason for this change of opinion became self evident when I applied some very basic concepts that I learned in 1 lesson on a gig this last weekend, and made it through a grueling 2.5 hour set that would have put me out of the loop for a week previously.

At the moment I'm working on some basic concepts out of Don Jacoby's book. It's too early to tell how far this instructor and these concepts are going to take me, but the change on the gig was remarkable, (and after just 1 week!) and I feel excited about playing rock band trumpet again for the first time in months.

__________________
Patrick Gleason
email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
"At my signal, unleash hell."
- Maximus Decimus Meridius

dcstep

That's great Patrick. It's wonderful when you find someone that really knows what they're talking about and can apply it to your needs.

I actually agree with Bacon's original premise that lessons with a great teacher will do wonders for you; however, the problem is finding a "great teacher." Based on my own personal experience, I'd guess that 2/3ds do more harm than good. Also, a "great teacher" without a greats student usually isn't going to accomplish much. Most parents and young students aren't equipped to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Here lately I've been very fortunate to be exposed to great teachers like Clint "Pops" McLaughlin, Rich Szabo, Jeff Smiley, Bert Truax and others. These guys addressed "issues" in my mechanics. I was already a "musician" from other exposure. If my daughter played trumpet raher than flute, I might send her to someone different, but I would find her a great teacher just as I've done on flute (Helen Blackburn of the Dallas Opera). Still, the average parent doesn't know how to find the "master teachers" and it's often a matter of luck connecting to a great teacher.

Patrick, who is your instructor?

Dave

__________________
Schilke '60 B1
Selmer Paris -- '57 #20 K-Modified/
'03 Concept TT w/ GR66.8B2.8
'94 Lawler TL cornet w/ Sparx 2B
Conn Vintage One flugel - GR66FD
www.pitpops.com www.ucm-inc.com
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest