| Sorry to state the obvious, but maybe you should play some really loud music. Make it fun; fanfares, ice-hockey band riffs, bugle calls, circus tunes, street band marches or shouting blues riffs. Play duets with him in these styles and start each lesson with a new tune. If you are playing some call and response music with him then you can gradually temper your own volume and play with more subtlety or grace and see if he can go with you. Imitation is one very good way to learn. Show him the possibilities rather than stopping him from playing. Encouragement based on making the music sound right rather than trying to analyse faults and correct them might achieve better results. His natural flair and the joyful abandon in his playing is something to share in and nurture - many people never achieve this after years of diligent study.
I have always believed that it is easier to temper, shape and darken a bright, exuberant and even course sound than it is to try to squeeze some life and sparkle out of a dull or introverted sound. Maybe start with the story of the trumpet players who broke down th ewalls of Jericho; have a competition to see which of you can make the loudest, ugliest most frightening sound on the horn.
Please forgive this stream of consciousness. I hope it is of some help. Please also bear in mind that I have the utmost respect for you - I have never dared to bite off the huge responsibility of teaching a beginner, feeling that it might well be far more than I can chew.
All the best. Noel.
__________________ Noel Langley - Eclipse Artist noel@eclipsetrumpets.com
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