Alex Yates

The best remedy in either case is to "stay in present time". I studied with James Thompson when he was developing his method and THAT is the important part to all of our work. You would be amazed at how difficult this is to do. My students think I am some kind of wizard when I point to a note in a phrase and tell them, "you started thinking of the "high" C at the end on this note or in this section". It is very obvious in their playing when they begin to stress about the music. Staying in the present is very difficult, but good to practice. It is at the heart of Yoga too. There is no way you can hold a balancing pose without staying in present time. The instant your mind begins to wander, you fall out of the pose (asana). I just wanted to add this because many of you have discussed Jim's method and this is the very important philosophy behind it.

Derek Reaban

Alex,

Exactly! When my mind wanders during a practice session (even for a second or two), that vibrant quality in my sound has a very good chance of drifting away too. I’m much better about getting right back to that sound after I breathe and refocus these days.

I remember doing those concentration charts that you have on your web site. Talk about a great tool to hone an extremely important skill! I got to the point where I could blow people away at how easy it was for me to “concentrate” and rattle off difficult combinations (-2, +1, 5 = red) at a pretty brisk clip on the metronome.

I’ll have to pull those out and sharpen my concentration again.

Thanks for reminding me of this.

__________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona

PH

Alex!!!

I love the Leon avatar!!! ...although he isnt beautiful like the person in your old one.

Are you a former Rapier student? If so, PM or email me. ITG is going to do something special at the next conference for Mr. Rapier (posthumously) and his family. Mike Tunnell & I are assembling an email list of former students who need to be in the loop.

Pat

Alex Yates

Hey Pat! Good to meet you! Yes, I studied with Rapier. I am greatly interested in taking part in any commemoration of such a great man. I have PMed you and look forward to hearing the details you and Mr. Tunnell are putting together. I am so happy to hear the news! Thank you!

JunkyT

interesting, derek...actually, my Bb was ABOVE the Eb! my problem seems to be too much tightness to begin with. now when i do my mouthpiece buzzing, i always do the first one without a reference pitch, and then hit the Eb on the piano to see where i'm at. i invariably have to loosen my jaw and drop my chin to achieve the Eb. since doing this, my sound has opened up tremendously.

__________________
NEW CD "THE JASON PARKER QUARTET" AVAILABLE HERE.

Trumpets: Selmer Paris Concept TT, 1946 Martin Committee
Flugel: 1970's Couesnon
Mpcs: Bach 7C, Curry 5FLM
Jason Parker Quartet
Jason Parker Music

Derek Reaban

Jason,

Perfect! It sounds like in your case, this is exactly the right prescription for you. I’m glad that you clarified your first post.

Take care,

__________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona

Clarence

SMIGITY-SMACKING!

__________________
You heard it here 1st, in what ever u do if u buy the ticket u take the ride!
Stage 1XH Bb
Phaeton 2030 Bb
Jupiter flugle 846bl black
Kersting Pocket trumpet
Stage1 MP
schilke 11 MP
Sdsytems LCM77 wireless
Shure PGX wireless

Deecy

I like Mark Gould's word; "chocolate", as it applied to Wm Vacchiano's sound. I'm gonna have to think about that for a while. Chocolate.

Tom

__________________
Tom//