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[u]INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD BOOK REVIEW.[/u]

[u]Embouchure Enhancement:
A Self Analysis and Diagnostic Method for Trumpet Advancement. [/u]
Roddy o-iii<O (a.k.a Lewis, Roddy).
United Kingdom: Author 2002. Softcover, spiral bound, 201 pp.
(Paul Morton, University of Louisiana Lafayette USA.)


[url]http://www.R-o-d-d-y-T-r-u-m-p-e-t.cC[/url]

[email]roddytpt@aol.com[/email]

Are you familiar with trumpet players who look and sound like they are playing with very little effort? They are! Top professionals find a way to make trumpet playing easy, and through his Embouchure Enhancement, Roddy attempts to show trumpeters how to find that state where the horn seems to `play itself`.

Embouchure Enhancement is a copious collection of essays on dozens of topics. Breathing, range and endurance, practice routines, `off horn` strength exercises, diagnostic tools, and a review of over forty trumpet method books are a few of the highlights.

In spite of its many topics, Rod`s book can be best summarized by the following few points:

1-the biggest roadblocks to great trumpet playing are mouthpiece pressure and over practice;
2-make sure the aperture is in the correct position for your phyisiology;
3-always use enough air supported by the abdominal muscles;
4-when playing, only use enough mouthpiece pressure to achieve an airtight seal;
5-endurance and the upper register are closely linked.

To reduce mouthpiece pressure the author advocates free lip buzzing (without the aid of the mouthpiece) and a great deal of soft playing. A key point is that the lips must be in the exact position buzzing as they are in playing. Rod advocates buzzing five minutes daily starting on second line g. [until aperture is aligned]

The soft playing in the low and middle registers simulates the aperture size when playing in the upper register and aids in creating the feeling of effortlessness that the author calls "the blow".

The author also advocates setting up a practice schedule that incorporates a mixture of light and heavy days with one day off a week.

Several points in the book may seem controversial, such as the tongue remaining flat, not arched as many others advocate. Aperture size dictates the upper register, and Rod prefers to start beginners with free buzzing on second line g. The writing style is very relaxed; however, with numerous interjections, the text can be difficult to follow at times.

Regardless, Embouchure Enhancement is an exhaustive work that covers many key points. This reviewer found the work to be thought provoking, offering a fresh perspective on trumpet performance and teaching.
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Book tributes..

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Hey Roddy -
I TRULY appreciate you responding back to me. Funny thing - yesterday entailed an ALL DAY Triple range. Playing for about 20 minutes, resting for about 20 minutes using the info as you suggested.
I totally agree with what you said - I think mpc pressure (plus the other things we discussed) has EVERYTHING to do with it, but before reading, I wasn`t clear on how to fix it.
Too bad more "old school" teachers couldn`t have taught these habits early on. Probably would have helped literally MILLIONS of guys frustrated.........................like ME!
Thanks again - I really appreciate your help
Stay in touch, *****

[Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band]
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Roddy
Thanks for your prompt delivery.
I received your book yesterday and got the top C# in `Tristan Encounters` for the first time at band last night.

I didn`t have time to practice after getting your book but tried some of the breathing exercises and some lip buzzing in the car, and just as the dreaded solo was coming up I did a bit of relaxing breathing as I know that I can play it at home. Anyway I don`t know if it was coincidence but it worked and I am looking forward to reading and practicing more of your book.

Thank you ******
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Hey Rod,
Just wanted to say........
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
THANKYOU!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the book, it really made me understand alot of what Ive been
hearing recently!! Ive read it everyday just to make sure that Im getting
it, and I am!! Had a big band rehearsal last Sat, I nearly blew the walls
down with my high G (above high c!!) Ive never had so much power so easily
before!!

So thank you very much, Iwish you every success with the books. I`ll be
buying the other 2 and organising some lessons....

Thanks again ****
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"E M B O U C H U R E ___E N H A N C E M E N T"
[Self Analysis / Diagnostic Methods for Trumpet Advancement]

BOOK 1 (200 Pages of text)
BOOK 2 (Tests notated + play-along CD)
BOOK 3 (Low note studies)

[url]http://www.R-o-d-d-y-T-r-u-m-p-e-t.cC[/url]

[email]roddytpt@aol.com[/email]