Comeback Lessons
So you've taken some time away from the trumpet , maybe longer than you'd like to admit, and now you want to make a triumphant return to the glory days of trumpet playing. You may have already realized that this can be easier said than done. With the proper guidance however this can be done successfully. My method for teaching comeback players centers around efficiency, with the goal being to replace any bad habits you may have developed from either a long time away, or picking things back up incorrectly. I have had great success working with over 200 students (mostly comeback players) to help them develop a more efficient approach to playing. Read below to see what this looks like.
Breathing for Efficiency
Do you know what players like Arturo Sandoval, Wayne Bergeron, or Adam Rappa have in common? It's not "chops of steel", it's their efficient use of air. When I learned this technique, it blew my mind how easily I was able to access the upper register after years of struggle. This is the foundation of my teaching - and it is not only for upper register playing! Using this breathing technique will allow you to create a more rich, vibrant sound throughout the range of the trumpet.
Embouchure Optimization
In my experience, 9 out of 10 players have an overbite in their embouchure. This means that the lips are not equally engaged when vibrating. Have you ever experienced a tight, constricted sound when trying to play in the upper register, or perhaps a total halt of vibration at a certain point of playing? This is why. When the lips are not aligned to allow for equal engagement, it can hinder lip vibration that affects your range, endurance, flexibility, sound etc. This is another key component of my teaching. Though I do not think of this as an embouchure "change", but more of an optimization. Through a system of exercises you can rather quickly learn to make this small change and see quick results in your playing.
Minimizing Motion to Maximize Technique
Another super common inefficiency I see in comeback players is too much motion in their embouchure. If you watch players like Hakan Hardenberger, or Sergei Nakiriakov play, you will notice that there is virtually no motion in their embouchure no matter how acrobatic the music they are playing is. This technique has the immediate effect of smoothing out your note transitions allowing for more free expression of music, and better accuracy when playing very technical or leaping passages.
FREE Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about lessons as a comeback player, fill out the form to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.