[TPIN] Balanced Embouchure

[Peter Willenborg]

Elaine,

(excuse for my limited english, I will try to express my thoughts on
this one :-) )

I know both. Loving and hating BE. Mostly, the hate/love towards such
kind of methods bases on different perceptions (hopefully, no one will
feel offended by this - this is not meant personal to anyone in anyway
:-) ) :

1: If you play, make music
--------------------------

Players with this attitude often are lyrical, gifted trumpet players
that can transport everything by just thinking about, what they want to
play and let their body find a way to do so.

These players don't like methods like BE or similar. Just because the
lessons do not have any musical elements in it.


2: Fear to cross borders
------------------------

"This has worked for 100years, there is no need to change it". Might be
true, Might not be true. From an engineers perspective, human still
would live in tents and die in the average age of 35 latest.

But: Within music, forcing someone to cross borders is a dangerous game
that can create too much stress in the playing system. And too much
stress in the playing system most likely will result in a complete
breakdown.


3: Distinct between techniques and music
----------------------------------------

I would call this the engineering approach. Constructing a car and
enjoing driving it are two different aspects. If you are willing to
practice your instrument without an musical content, a method like BE
can be helpful.


My view: As an amateur player only some stable Type 3 should go for this
method, especially without a teacher. With a teacher, its not about a
specific method, its about finding the teacher that helps me most.
Especially if someone is claiming, this method will "create a thin,
pinchy tone by default". You can achieve a thin and pinchy tone with
every method.

My personal summary regarding BE is quite simple:

- I tried BE and it helped me, to identify my weak points
- I am still doing the RI followed by RO on a regular basis
- I still distinct between technical practice & musical practice
- For all methods, I actively ignore "it works for all" or "everyone
capable of playing the upper range does it that way".

=> For me, BE helped. But also, taking some lessons with different
teachers helped me on other things (musicality, developing my own tone,
etc). BE is a tool to get better. A teacher also is a tool to get
better. But you need to try to find out, which tool suites you best.

just my 10ct
 Peter

BTW: You should sound best where you get paid for.


Elaine Johnson schrieb:
> Hi there Gene,
> 
> I have bought the Balanced Embouchure method and read it through several
> times.  It seemed to make sense until I took it to my then teacher (a
> professor) who told me not to touch it with a barge pole!
> 
> His view was that to roll you lips inwards to get a higher range might get
> you a higher range but it would get you a very awful, thin, pinched sound as
> a result.  He told me I would be far better off as a player to have a great
> sounding mid range because in all reality most players never have to play
> much above high C - and this is coming from a mighty fine jazz player before
> you flame me :)
> 
> So no, I didn't get my $70 or $80 worth...
> 
> Elaine
>