| here are the points that I think are not accurate:
1) "Some people advise: "Only take in the amount of air you need." The implication is to inhale according to the length of a passage to be played. However, the length of tubing in the instrument in which the air column must be set into vibration, is the same-no matter whether one note or many measures must be played."
The length and volume of the horn have no direct correlation to the amount of air needed. If this were true, larger brass instruments wouldn need larger lungs (than trumpet players) to work properly.
2) "If the player inhales insufficiently, it will result in too much velocity in expelling the air (playing)."
This means even after a big breath, half way into the phrase(where half of my air is gone) my velocity will go up and everything gets messed up. This is simply not true.
Velocity of the air is dependent on the resistance of the horn, the position of the tongue, teeth and lips (aperature) not the volume in my lungs. If I do not have enough air, certain muscles have to contract to get the required air velocity - this will make playing more work. This is a completely different "problem".
I am not criticising the need for that "big breath". Air is the #1,2 and 3 issue for brass players.
Incorrect use of air-too much or too little will increase tension. Understanding the "mechanics" and proper practice will minimize this tension. I don't know how often I have played phrases where I couldn't get rid of my air and had to take another breath without completely exhaling first-what a suffocating feeling.
3) "If the musician (trumpet player) would spend time analyzing the music, rather than analyzing one's "mechanics," much more knowledge would be gained and one's performance skills would be enhanced."
In my humble opinion, only the naturally gifted can get away without analyzing the mechanics. Most of my work teaching, most of the posts on this great forum are about the mechanics. Charlie ist gifted, his students are gifted, many of us out here are not at least not to that degree - we may need a different balance.
People auditioning are often sorted out from the very beginning because of problems with the mechanics before their musical skills can even be shown. On the other hand, I am sure that there are many successful professional trumpet players that have overcome extreme mechanical handicaps by addressing them. I'd like to hear how they have solved their problems.
Dealing with stress and anxiety are key to being able to show what you are capable of during an audition. Insufficient air control is a major factor as could be blood pressure, inferiority complex, inadequate preparation, lack of experience, hostile jury or one of many other things. If one prepares properly, air does not have to be in that list of "problems".
The list of Charlies' successful students shows how good he is - I think his 2-pager does not do his system justice.
Sorry for the long post.
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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. |