A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet [Spiral-bound]

Lynn K. Asper (Author), Renee D. Asper (Editor), Marcia Van Horn (Illustrator), Michelle L. Russel (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 1999

The ideal trumpet book for high school, collegiate and advanced trumpet students and teachers. A unique new trumpet method book that reflects the author's 35 years as an educator and his practical use of educational theories. This book describes how you can teach your body to play the trumpet.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet is a proactive way to identify barriers to playing improvement and apply specific techniques to overcome those barriers. It is based upon the science of how the body works, making it possible for the student to see and feel changes as they occur. The student has immediate feedback and does not lose precious time which might have been devoted to practicing bad habits.

From the Author

Why a physical approach? There are numerous other trumpet playing techniques which, when properly applied, work well for some players. Other teachers believe that a physical approach is not necessary because, they contend, the body will learn the proper way to play if the student listens long enough to a desired trumpet sound. Still other teachers, usually fine players themselves who may never have needed to work through physical barriers, demonstrate by playing for their students. I call this the "watch me and do it like I do" approach.

My physical approach attempts to avoid intangible concepts by explaining the physical skill to be applied to each area of playing so that the student can learn the correct physical response for every playing situation. Tangible, concrete, logical. This method can be taught in a step-by-step manner and students find that it is a very understandable way to learn.

A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet is based partly upon my belief that a body or a body part that is not responding properly is unable to correct itself through listening to more literature or "playing through the problem" until the situation changes. My experience tells me that the body will likely not correct itself and I have seen too many students practice incorrect habits waiting for a day that will never arrive!

I have probably written this book over 200 times! Throughout my years of teaching I have found that I do a lot of writing for each individual student in order to explain the physical approach. I've grown a bit concerned that I might not be saying the same things consistently among students - especially when I have several new students at once. I've realized that I could save myself a lot of time during lessons, ensure consistency, and, hopefully, clarify my philosophy if I just collected my ideas and wrote them down one last time in a book. I have already discovered, based upon a draft version of this book, that my students are better able to understand the physical approach concepts if they have them in book form that they can read and re-read. Lastly, I truly believe that I have important information to share with trumpet players. This could be anything from overcoming a basic playing barrier for the less advanced player to increased technical proficiency for advanced players.

This book was written for intermediate and advanced trumpet students of all ages and their teachers. You will notice that the book is written in a first person, question-and-answer format. Throughout my years of teaching, I have found that I can anticipate many of the questions that students tend to ask about the physical approach. Since I have personally answered these questions hundreds of times before, writing in this conversational format simply seemed natural to me. It also makes the book useful to persons who wish to improve their trumpet playing without the assistance of a teacher.

When this book is being used by a teacher with a student, the teacher becomes a trumpet playing analyst. Over time and with practice, the student should become better and better at analyzing their own playing, so that barriers can be overcome through the use of this book and the techniques described even when a teacher is not immediately available.

The first section of the book is devoted to defining the technical aspects of the physical approach. Figures and photographs are used to reinforce the written descriptions. However, knowing how to practice is as important as knowing what to practice. For this purpose, daily warm up, frequency of practice sessions, and endurance-building topics are also covered.

Specific musical examples are located in the Appendices at the end of the book. Various units throughout the book will address how to use these exercises. Grouping the musical exercises together at the end of the book will eventually make them easier to locate and practice. Once the student understands the intent of each exercise, they will not need to flip back and forth through the book to find an exercise.

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 106 pages
• Publisher: Wavesong Pr; Lslf edition (March 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966884701
• ISBN-13: 978-0966884708
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the complete beginner!, January 24, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet (Spiral-bound)

As an adult (late 30s) I have only been learning the trumpet a month, and I found this book to be a huge help. Easy to read, helpful information and clear diagrams enabled me to get a better sense of what I am trying to achieve; and although the book itself states that it is designed for intermediate to advanced players, I would recommend it to the the complete novice too.

Although not a cheap book for readers down under (give the exchange rate and postage etc) it is definitely well worth the money, and a great reference book to be pick up again and again.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every trumpeter should have this book, June 14, 2005

By 

Gray (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet (Spiral-bound)

I've seen lots of trumpet books but never anything like this. It transformed my playing instantly just by going to the section on embouchure. I must admit I was a bit sceptical about what he says in that section - it seemed counter-intuitive to me - but I tried it and it just unlocked the door for me. I began playing with an effortlessness that I had never known before. Mr Asper has a great ability to make you UNDERSTAND what you're doing. If you're serious about improving, I rate this a "must have".

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as a private teacher, June 8, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet (Spiral-bound)

This is a great book for the novice or intermediate trumpet player. It's got all the information your band director may not have taught you. This is the kind of quality information you'd get in a lesson with a good teacher. If you want to develop your skills and get in some good habits, use this book. An excellent supplement to this is "Sound the Trumpet: How to Blow Your Own Horn."