Strength Is Not the Answer

QuotePedagogy
Written By Andrew Hitz
"Strength is not the answer.  I guarantee you that everyone in this room has the strength to play a high G."
—Jim Thompson, Former Principal Trumpet of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra

Preach, Jim!

Watch this video of the incredible Brian MacDonald of the Airmen of Note and tell me that strength is needed to rip in the high register.

One of my last Boston Brass big band Christmas gigs featured Brian on trumpet. I was knocked out at how ridiculously relaxed he looked while soaring above the whole band. It was a call to action to take a lot of not just unneeded, but counterproductive physicality out of my playing.

And that's why the mirror is your friend. Watch the greats on YouTube and then watch yourself. Can you be doing anything more efficiently? The answer is pretty much always yes no matter who the hell you are.

Andrew Hitz

I am a professional musician who has performed in over 35 countries around the world. I am the creator of The Entrepreneurial Musician, a consulting service, podcast and blog preparing today’s musician for tomorrow’s reality. I am also the owner of Pedal Note Media, a digital media company. And I’ve seen the band Phish 205 times. No, really.

https://andrewhitz.com
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