Manny Laureano

Sigh...

Okay, have it your way, then, Eric. I suppose that Albert Pujols should just use a 25 ounce aluminum bat because what is most important is his stance, stride, and swing. The balance and overall design of the bat is meaningless and doesn't add the final part of the equation that helps him to become a great hitter.

The only reason I invoked the dreaded M word is Dave was the first one to put Benade's theories into practical application by changing the length of the trumpet mouthpiece which had, up to that point, remained unchanged since the 19th century. Fine, the violin's design is basically unchanged since the 18th century but then they had Antonio Stradivari to define an optimimum in design. We didn't. The point is that's why I brought it up, not to put you down as you intimate in your last post.

Your logic is flawed and therefore the excellent Prager quote doesn't hold. I started the post with the Pujols example to support that. You say that because popping the mouthpiece to see how well it's constructed has no bearing on ones performance because lip engagement is different. I maintain that the efficiency of play is detracted when the equipment is not optimal. I didn't say the play was impossible or unnacceptable. There are many excellent players, pro and am, that have/had great careers without the benefit of Benade's theories.

I'll leave you with a Dennis Prager quote that may be more apt here:

"Clarity is more important than agreement."

ML