FLEXUS - Trumpet calisthenics
for the modern improvisor
As the subtitle
says, this book is trumpet calisthenic for the modern improvisor. But
what does that mean? The Introduction
in the book says the following:
To improvise
effectively, the physical act of playing needs to be a conditioned
reflex - freedom of expression is only possible when the physical
demands of playing are under control. To this end, FLEXUS asks the
student to momentarily put aside the study of music itself and instead
practice the muscular movements involved in playing the instrument.
Both
authors are students of the late Carmine Caruso and FLEXUS syntesizes
the teaching techniques of Laurie Frink, John Mc Neill and Carmine Caruso. A central
idea in their teaching is exposure
to repetition:
Learning comes
through exposure and repetition - you expose yourself to what you want
to learn and then repeat the exposure. The great brass teacher Carmine
Caruso used the analogy of a baby learning to walk; the baby
experiences nothing but failure in its attempts until the first
successful step. It does not judge itself for its failures, but simply
tries again.
Another
important aspect is timing
and coordination:
Timing and
coordination are 100% of trumpet playing. What we call coordination is
just the synchronized movement of muscles in time. When given a
consistent tempo, muscles coordinate much more easily. This results in
muscular balance, which leads to greater facility and endurance.
The first
exercise in the book, under the section Preliminary Studies is Caruso's
original "six note exercise". These preliminary studies are used to
stabilize the embouchure before being exposed to more challenging
exercises. The rest of the book is divided into different types of
studies:
- Flexibility
- Articulation
- Pedal Tones
- Quick
Register Changes
These studies
are divided into subsections, 3 sections for Flexibility
and Articulation and 5 sections for Quick Register Changes. When the
student has mastered section one, he can move on to section two, etc.
A very great help and bonus with FLEXUS is the companion CD where
Laurie Frink has recorded many of the studies. In addition both authors
talk about different subjects like, Thoughts
on practicing, How to use
this book, When to move on
and How to apply calisthenics to
music.
If you have never done a lip bend before,
it is great to listen to how Frink perform it. Or, how to play the
exercise called Flexando? Just
listen to the CD.
I orderen this book and CD from the publisher OmniTone
Recommended!
About the Authors
Laurie Frink
Laurie Frink has been a
freelance trumpet player in New York City since the 1970's. In addition
to extensive recording work, she has played trumpet with Benny
Goodman, Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, Maria Schneider, Andrew Hill, Dave
Liebman and Kenny Wheeler. She is a member of the faculties of New York
University The New School and the Manhattan School of Music.
John McNeil
John McNeil is a jazz
trumpet player living in Brooklyn, New York. He has played with Horace
Silver, Gerry Mulligan, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and many
others. John has led his own groups since the late 1970's and has
recorded many critically acclaimed CD's. He is also an active
writer/producer on the New York jazz scene.
o.j. 2004
