Greetings all.
I am not one to normally post on such “trumpet rags” but as this is a newer one; I would like to help generate business.
As I see it there are 3 primary aspects to trumpet (really all brass or even wind instruments).
-aperture (lip)
-oral cavity (tongue level)
-wind/air control breath support (exaltation of air)
Now there are other aspects such as: Teeth aperture…. Tongue Syllables to direct air stream… And many ways/opinions of how to inhale air the proper way in order to exhale with the right amount of control. Etc etc….
All of this and more that can’t even be explained clearly in words, take place when producing sound (good sound hopefully) with a trumpet.
I believe it is a magical balance of those original 3 mechanisms. With various degrees of balance within all of the sub and tertiary systems-(for lack of a better term).
We tend to argue on and on about what the “truth” within this is, or rather “the real way” to creat this balance. Unfortunately often we miss the mark because “my” (referring to any particular opinion) description of how to achieve this balance, may not work for you. In other words the language I speak to explain what I do, may not “speak” to you, never mind that we don’t all have the same intuitive abilities.
Foe example; how many teachers have you gone through before you found one that you clicked with and thus helped you reach those “Ahh Ha!” moments?
-some may take years of study before the student conceptualizes what they wish to convey…?
-Others teachers have the ability to “speak” many languages or quickly figure out what speaks to their students, these can be the really great ones!
Any way as I ramble on with no end point…
Think about my original statement of the 3 primary mechanisms, and how you see or feel they relate. Take special care as to how you describe them to your students, and what language may speak to them.
Please feel free to correct me or help clarify this. I have no intention of making ultimate statements… Or posting truths that are absolute. I’m just learning how to play and thus teach trumpet, like many of you.