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Originally Posted by dbacon The only sure way to learn how to play the instrument is to study with a fine professional trumpet player and teacher. |
Wrong!
Roy Hargrove is a great modern example that taught himself in his first three years. Bart Marantz "found him" and helped him greatly, but he'd molded himself early on by listening to and emulating his father's records. (At least that's what he has said in the past).
If you get rid of the absolute "only", then maybe I can agree, but as stated it comes off as pontificating and impossibly narrow. I taught myself for my first four years. I'm no Roy Hargrove, but I didn't gain a whole bunch from the guys that screwed around with my embouchure after I was already first chair in the all-county band.
My "teacher" was Don Jacoby. He never met me, but I heard him when I was ten-years old (four years before my first "lesson"), from about the tenth row. He was running around the country playing "Ode to Trumpet" with various "honor bands" and I was lucky enough that my parents thought it'd be good for me. (God's hand was there, I believe). I still think of Don's sound almost every time I play.
Dave