north bay trumpet studio

Newsletter: Volume 1, 5th edition

Greetings from the Teacher:

Greetings. I would imagine that most of you, like me, are ready for the much needed summer break. I hope final exams went well and that you have the opportunity to rest. As I am resting and organizing myself for summer lessons, gigs, and improv. class, I thought it would be a good time to outline some thoughts I have had over the last few months and share those with you.

What's New?

• Summer Lesson Program
• Santa Rosa Junior Colllege Beginning Jazz Improvisation Class
• Atlantic Brass Workshop and Concert

Student Notes:

• Tayla Nebesky-Atlantic Brass Workshop/Green Farm Music Camp at SSU
• Harry Marks-Humboldt Brass Camp
• Julia Hamon-Humboldt Brass Camp
• Greg Hamon-Humboldt Brass Camp/Aebersold Jazz Clinic

Teacher Thoughts:
How we go about doing things...

• Is it possible that, although we don't realize it, our default (habitual) way of going about doing things causes us more difficulty than success?
• Without realizing it, we assume that our body functions correctly and our way of using it is efficient.
• We assume that this correct functioning, use, and efficiency is a "given" for us as relatively healty human beings.
• What if this hidden assumption were not correct?
• What if, for things to function well, there were some thinking and learning that needed to take place at this most fundamental level?
• What basis do we have for knowing if our body works correctly or not?
• We think we know something, but we proceed without even the slightest bit of attention regarding how we proceed.
• When we "feel" something, we assume that that what we "feel" is correct information.
• Is it possible that our "feeling" something could be incorrect?
• Is it possible that this "feeling" could simply be our sense of what is firmiliar.
• Is it possible that what is firmiliar is not necessarily correct.
• Is it possible that we have overlooked the fact that we made this assumption and continued with our activity without ever stopping to consider how we are going about our activity?
• Is it possible that when we "feel" something like " taking a big breath:, that what we feel is muscle contraction?
• Is it possible that muscle contraction is tightening?
• Is it possible that tightening restricts free use of our muscles?
• Is it possible that muscle release would be more useful to us in our activity?
• Is it possible that wha we feel if we were to experience muscle release instead of muscle contraction may not be what we expected?
• Are we open to changes in ourselves and how we go about our activity?
• If we are not open to changes or suggestions, what are we bringing to this learning situation of a lesson? or practice session?
• If we have a fixed idea about what should happen next and how it should happen (how it should "feel"), is it possible that we may disappoint ourselves and miss the opportunity to gather valuable information from our experience?
• Unfortunately, we have the idea that if we try "harder" or "concentrate" we will automatically get what we want.
• Is this really what happens?
• Is it possible that we frequently (if not always) change our goal rather than acheive it because of the lack of success we have with our general method of going about things?
• Is there a solution ("means whereby") that might allow us to get what we want with consistency?
• I am firmly convinced that there is such a solution.
• What does this involve?
• The answer seems simple in words.
• The realization of the solution is not quite as easy in action, because,unless we stop and reconsider or redirect our action, we will go astray in a few seconds.
• This is due to our habitual way of going about things in both thought and action.
• Fortunately, because of the nature of our life, it is not possible to allow change in one area without it haveing an affect on all other areas.
• Is it possible that the idea that we are going to fix something like "low-back pain" or "embouchure difficulties" while playing trumpet is a limited view.
• Is it possible that our life and our body is connected as a whole.
• Is it possible that we can not fix just one thing.
• What about the possibility that if we really want to "fix" something, we must begin to look its cause in all situations and circumstances.
•  

Future Topics:

• Where does the idea that we have to play with the bell up come from?
• Why do we cling to this idea as though it were something that would help us?
• What difficulties could this be causing us in our trumpet playing?
• What alternatives to this idea are available to us?

Teacher Performance Schedule:

• June 14-24 San Joaquin County Fair in Stockton-Racetrack Bugler
• June 27-July 9 Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton-Racetrack Bugler
• July 11-July15 Solano County Fair in Vallejo-Racetrack Bugler
• July 15 Al Gruber Band at Little Switzerland in Sonoma-Sideman
• July 18-Aug. 6 Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa-Racetrack Bugler
• Aug. 3 Pete Estabrook Acoustic Jazz Trio in Sebastapol-Private Party
• Aug. 9-Aug.19 Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale-Racetrack Bugler
• Aug. 22-Sept.1 Sacramento State Fair at Cal-Expo-Racetrack Bugler
• Oct. 20-21 Joe Dimitrowich Band in Cambell-Sideman
• Oct. 27 Mel Graves Jazz Dectet in Healdsburg-Trumpet Soloist

Video clips of interest: