| Hi Dr. G,
I played for 40 years before hearing of Jerry Callet and Superchops.
I didn't need either to major in music in college . . . neither to become a solo trumpet in one of the Army bands . . neither to work full time for a while professionally (before kids) . . . and neither to still play at a high level throughout the many years ahead.
I was a "tone" guy who had the musicianship and sound conductors and leaders wanted . . . but my range was limited to the G above High C. That was my plateau that no amount of practice could overcome for decades.
I heard of Jerry and Superchops in March about three years ago via a personal encounter with Lee Adams. After his humble but awesome presentation to me I was hooked and decided to "crash and burn," if need be, to play efficiently like he did.
THE RESULTS? My transition was untypically super-fast (a few weeks at most) . . .
Nahhhh, the same tone I always had didn't go away!
Nahhhhh, the same technique I always had didn't go away!
Nahhhhh, the same "musicianship" didn't go away!
Nothing left me at all . . . except for my mediocre range and better than average endurance.
What did I "pick up" by converting?
1. ONE FULL OCTAVE OF PERFORMANCE RANGE (through the G above Double C)
2. GREATER CONTROL
3. GREATER ENDURANCE
4. GREATER FLEXIBILITY
THE DOWNSIDE? None . . . other than that strange sensation of learning to play solos in an octave I'd never known before! After 40 years to have that final door opened was a realllll strange feeling!
Sincerely,
Tom Turner |