Jens Lindemann Master Class Quotes from George Mason University (Part 2 of 3)
Here is the second installment of quotes from the wonderful clinic that Jens Lindemann gave at George Mason last semester. So much good stuff in here! Thank you, Jens!
- "There are a handful of musicians in our business that are untouchable. Like Wynton Marsalis. He's not a trumpet player. He's an icon."
- "It begins with what I call the Musical Circle of Life. Top of the circle is Day 1. 6 o'clock is brass purgatory: people who talk about mouthpieces and recordings. The goal is to get back to the top of the circle. But you can never get back to Day 1."
- "The responsibility is getting enlightened. And that responsibility is on you, not on me."
- "You get me for one hour a week. When you leave the room, do you think I think about you for one minute afterwards? I serisouly don't. I have a wife, and a life, and a career. But you don't think about me either."
- "You're the ones who have to be responsible for saying 'I've got to figure this out.'"
- "You've got to think outside the box. You can't just go through a list of books and solos. That's a meathead approach."
- "Playing a brass instrument is ultimately about getting your whole body involved. To make it as free and easy as possible."
- "You know the best players where it just seems so natural? That's because it is."
- "Find a way to be in your chair and engaged."
- "First thing I would suggest is to strongly discourage sitting on the back of your chair. When I sit on the front of the chair everything is unlocked. I'm engaging my entire body."
- "Rule #1: View your whole body as a part of the instrument."
- "Practice rolling a ball under your foot while you play."
- "Keep your mind engaged."
- "Technology is one of the great advantages of today."
- "The only problem with a problem is potentially realizing it's not a problem."
- "You must be inquisitive."
- "When I set up an embouchure I try to keep things as set as possible."
