Fw: [TPIN] A few * Considerations *

[Leon Merian]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "LEON MERIAN" <lmerian at tampabay.rr.com
Cc: "LEON MERIAN" <lmerian at tampabay.rr.com       Subject: [TPIN] A few *
Considerations *


>               I have noticed in my many years of playing and teaching that
> many players want to make certain changes in their playing, their
equipment,
> their thinking,their approach, but cannot really bring themselves about to
> doing it; and the answer to this problem is MOTIVATION...this word comes
> from Latin meaning "to move". If you are motivated to seek a better way to
> do what you are doing, namely to improve on your horn whether it be
> articulation, playing jazz, playing with more sound and intensity in your
> orchestral work, small group playing acquiring more endurance, range and
on
> and on....all that is necessary [at first] is good, practical information.
> Bad habits, playing poorly etc can definitely be cured if you are truly
> motivated to do something about it. That's where POSITIVE motivation comes
> in. Through positive reinforcement you can better maintain your "new" and
> improved self.
> I  see so  many players becoming impatient and dissapointed with
themselves.
> If you need certain changes in your playing and are truly motivated to
make
> these changes, you will see them come about. This I
> guarantee..........Listen to me, all of these improvements will happen
> *naturally * without FORCING any change............
>                        Always be anxious to play and always play as well
as
> you can. Remember...the horn is just an extension of yourself.  Show
people
> how great you feel playing your horn; whether you are playing in a group,
or
> playing lead ,2nd tpt,3rdtpt or 4th tpt---just enjoy it !!  A dear friend
of
> mine Jimmy Smith of the N Y Phil. orch. played the greatest 4th tpt I've
> ever heard. He played his part as though it was the lead part.Actually
> the 3rd and 4th parts are just as important as the principal--maybe even
> moreso..............When warming up, don't warm up for too long...warm up
> just enough to play comfortably. Play as high and as low as you can
> comfortably and that's it !!Then stop.    I see players coming in to the
gig
> screaming upstairs and turning beet red, forcing their chops to
> respond--don't do this !! It is harmful...if anything under warm
> up........................
>                    Practice a tune in both registres...do it often. You
will
> see if you're using your air and your concepts {tongue, facial muscles etc
> properly.}.........Also Have the sound that YOU want in in your head first
> then play it. Always listen to yourself closely.  Play by sound not by
feel.
>      Remember to buzz the mouthpiece before blowing the horn This will
> improve your articulation and your sound.
>      Clean your horn and the mpc every week. Even twice a week.....
>   You must build your musicianship and your attitude.  The technique will
> come...it will work itself out---don't worry too much about it.
>        Refrain from "musceling"the horn....don't work harder than is
> necessary for the desired result. Playing melodically is very very
> important.[my next post]......Trumpet playing is risky business; you won't
> play great if you're afraid of taking these risks. If you are going to be
> whimpy and timid and start favoring notes then you are running
> away...trumpet players don't ever run away from risk taking...read my
> bio[The Man Behind The Horn]
>     You'll want a lyrical style rather than burying the listener with a
> barrage of notes and staying upstairs all the time.... Take your time and
> develop
> your ideas with fluidityand ease.  It will happen if you allow it to
happen.
>      Always play with a" message " when playing---don't try to impress.
> Try to vocalize through your horn paying close attention to your sound.
>   The trumpet like the human voice can hypnotize the audience so that they
> get a heightenedappreciation of the music.
>    You see , the audience gets that same feeling that the one who is
playing
> this beautiful music gets.  God bless you all...LEON
>

>
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