Billiards, Not Pool!
I use this mental analogy when playing legato to stimulate the airstream. I imagine the surface of the billiard table as the layer of air which the slide rides on. Continue Reading →
The Importance of Singing in Relation to Brass Playing
by Michael Becker Throughout the course of my studies as a trombonist I’ve always tried to find new ways to play and grow as a musician. Many of my teachers Continue Reading →
Velvet Fog
My excellent student Brian Johnston suggested I write an article on a term I used at a lesson a couple of weeks ago. I told him that a famous pop Continue Reading →
Near and Far
One of the biggest challenges we brass players have is keeping the sound consistent at different dynamics. I’m specifically speaking about the tendency for our instruments to want to go Continue Reading →
The Devil and Mr. Johnson
There’s been a whole lot written about the life of Robert Johnson, (1911-1938) who’s short life and career are the stuff of legend. He tragically died at the age of Continue Reading →