[TPIN] body use

[trombe1 at mac.com]

Some of the recent posts about playing more successfully or less  
successfully on different trumpets has me thinking. It seems odd to  
me that one could characterize as 'madness' the idea that one's body  
use might effect their efficiency on a particular instrument. My  
experience leads me to think that trumpeters may be among the  
instrumentalists least concerned with body use...especially younger  
players developing their skills. It seems to me that more attention  
is given to body use (relaxation, hand/arm position, instrument/body  
interface, posture, etc.) by string teachers and players, pianists,  
and some woodwind teachers and players than is customary for brass  
players--at least until problems develop.

Those who are able to achieve efficiency and proficiency on the  
trumpet without thinking much about it have have discovered (or  
stumbled onto) a way to do things very well naturally (we call them  
'talented!'), or perhaps they have simply gravitated toward  
instruments on which a particular manner of using the body works  
best. I think that most would agree that those who don't find success  
often play with excessive tension or have difficulty using their air  
efficiently, or eventually have to deal with pain or overuse issues  
(or they quit playing.)

I'm thinking about more here than just emphasizing good posture in  
lessons. I'm already familiar with the Alexander Technique and its  
proponents, but I'd be interested to hear a little bit about anyone's  
experiences (either as students or as teachers) with those who have  
made body use an important priority in their playing or with their  
students.

	Frank Hanson