Customer Reviews

A Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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".

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."

This book defines what your body should be doing while playing the trumpet. It has helped me to explain to my students what they should be feeling physically while playing their horn. If you are an instructor, buy this book.

This is an excellent book.

It provides a logical and clear approach to learning the trumpet. It has the best explanation I have seen of exactly how sound is produced from a trumpet and how that sound can be improved.

The author's suggestions are straight forward and bring quick results. In my case some issues I had struggled with were finally made clear and I have significantly improved my tone and fluency.

Mr Asper's detailed description of his recommended approach to practice is outstanding, as are the exercises set out in the appendices.

I highly recommend this book.

This book is a compilation of every aspect of the physical and psychological approach to playing the trumpet. Easily read but more importantly, easily applied. I know first hand that Lynn's principals and ideas work because I was a former student of his.

This is a really different way of looking at the hard graft involved in playing the trumpet successfully. In this book the emphasis on the physical side of playing does effectively persuade the reader to revisit and develop a systematic physical approach to aspects of playing that are often overlooked in other tutor books, when attempting to improve basic and advanced techniques. The exercises are well explained and sequential and would appear to suit both the intermediate and professional trumpet player.

I really enjoyed this book. The information was presented clearly and would be a great benefit for those who are struggling with specific aspects of trumpet playing. I found its content to be helpful to any beginning player, especially those who wish to pursue music as a career.

This is a very detailed book which covers the intended topic. If you are looking for a book that covers the physical positioning and motions to form good playing reflexes and habits this is the book for you. It was not the book for me, however.

I was not thrilled with the way the material was presented. I feel that the book should have explained a concept, then provided exercises to reinforce that concept and the reflexes that go along with it. The book does explain the "Physical Approach to Playing the Trumpet" as advertised, but unless you are constantly opening the book and reading the text you will not get the constant reminder that is important to reinforce these reflexes.

In my opinion, most beginners, especially young ones, are not going to have the discipline and/or patience to spend 75% of his or her practice time reading text. 75% of this book is text. 25% of this book is exercises that can be found in any one of 100 other method books.

If you are the student of someone who teaches this method, then by all means buy this book. I am sure you will find this book will not be the main course of your study, but will be an excellent compliment. If you are not taking lessons from a teacher who intends to teach this method and you are looking for a book you can study on your own...skip it...buy Clark's instead. Unless you are disciplined enough to force yourself to read this book weekly, it will likely collect dust.

I have already learned why I have always had such trouble with high C which is that I've always thought I had to stretch the upper lip of the embouchure(sp?) but instead i should have rested the mouthpiece on the lower lip so as to permit the upper lip to vibrate freely. Now I'll have to see if it works.