Bear

The way I think about it is that WE are the instrument and that hunk of metal is just the amplifier. We need to to be able to tell the horn what to play, not vice versa. The only way to accomplish (I believe) is to be able to buzz what you play. From pedal tones to double tones. It won't happen in one day but if you stay consistent and patient, it will happen eventually. Stick with it, don't get discouraged. There is a "j" in everyone's playing.
That means that you start off on sort of a plateau, then learning new techniques/skills you may drop a little (the curve of the j) but after you learn those skills, you're playing dramatically increases.. Life is one big J. Keep on blowing man.

Tim

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Of what value would it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?! - anon.

rowuk

Tim,
There is a little truth in just about every approach. The trumpet is more than an amplifier. It also "distorts" the buzz giving it a characteristic glow unique to that brand and model, it through design slots our notes hopefully into proper tune - if not we have to fight the instrument to play in tune AND through proper manipulation of the valves, is capable of producing many effects.
The mouthpiece buzz actually has very little to do with the buzz with the instrument. To keep it simple: buzzing is an additional tool that CAN be used to accomplish specific goals. It is not the only truth in embouchure development, but it is a very common and often successful tool.
Like anything about playing, first hand experience has the potential to be MUCH more accurate than guesstimates on the internet. In the thread owners case, I would go WITH the professor. Fighting the flow will get you nowhere fast!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Veldkamp

If I had followed the instructions of my first classical teacher at the Conservatory I would have ruined my embouchure. I never had problems and had a full range at a young age. But still my teacher wanted to change my embouchure! So I quit taking lessons from her and never regretted it.

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http://trumpetkings.blogspot.com

Bear

Rgr,
I agree with this. Did I say something not clear or muddling? I have a habit of doing that. The free buzz, mpc buzz, and then the effect with the horn. They are all different but if each is worked on, can produce an amazing result. Is that clearer maybe? Eh, anyways, back to studying. Take care folks.


Tim

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Of what value would it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?! - anon.

trpt2345

There are great players who advocate buzzing. There are equally great ones who don't. Jim Thompson may have been at Eastman for 17 years (you sure it's that long?) but Barbara Butler, who along with Charlie Geyer preceded him never talked about buzzing, they weren't big on it. None of my other teachers did either, and I've done all right. Others who I respect are way into it. Whatever works. You have to think for yourself in the end.


Michael McLaughlin

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Chicago MM

mrtrpt

Actually, playing the mouthpiece is one of the "bricks" in Barbra's fundamental's rountine...

She says that when playing the mouthpiece it is to approached just like you are playing a concert... good breathing, good time, articulation, sound, intonation...

pops

.

Very often someone will think a teacher or player is not big about something because they didn't say it to them.

However; if you didn't NEED the practice, advice... why would they waste time telling it to you?

I have had a couple of Jacoby students tell me that Jake wasn't into something and then I would show them the directions in HIS handwriting to ME.

I needed that instruction and they didn't at the time. Like wise There are things that he never said to me that I know he was big on. I didn't need the reinforcement in that area.

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"30 Minutes A Day to Better Playing", "Book of Embouchure Pictures". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.BbTrumpet.com & http://www.TrumpetCollege.com
Pops

It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.