Claude Gordon exercise help

[bdavis]

Claude gordons 'systematic approach to daily practice" has a series of lessons, 52 in all i think, that are designed to make you a better player....for those of you who are familiar with the material, is it the general consensus that you should spend as long as you need to master each lesson, then move on? Im having trouble with the first lesson, so basically im asking if this book can be aimed towards a begginer?
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Regiment 04

[John Mohan]

"Systematic Approach" is not for a beginner or intermediate player. If you don't already have a decent High C and a fair amount of playing ability in general, the book is too advanced for you.

You should get Claude's book "Physical Approach to Elementary Brass Playing". It contains about 28 lessons, each to be done for a week or two. By the time you get all the way through it, you'll have a range up to a good strong High C and you'll be ready to start "Systematic Approach".

"Physical Approach" assigns material out of the Saint Jacomes book as well. Buy both at:

http://www.claudegordonmusic.com/index.htm

Best wishes,

John Mohan
http://mattgraves.netfirms.com/john_mohan.htm
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Trumpet Player, Clinician & Teacher
1st Trpt for Cats, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Evita, Hunchback of Notre Dame,
Grease, The Producers, Addams Family, In the Heights, etc.
Ex LA Studio Musician
16 Year Claude Gordon Student

[Andiroo]

[John Mohan]

[grooveduke]

Love your avatars John!

[shagnscooob]

hey john id like to ask how you think CG works as a supplemental material?

i realize that if i stick wtih his stuff eventually im going to be so swamped by all the stuff he recommends, but if im started on lesson 6 of PA...

and if i do use it as a supplemental material, how should it fit in to the rest of the stuff im playing out of?

[Bill Bryant]

[John Mohan]

[bandman]

I need some direction with how to use the various Claude Gordon practice books. I've read the comments in this thread and can see that following the CG method takes more than buying the books. Anyway, here's my situation and question(s):

I'm a comeback player having played now for about 6 years after a 30 year layoff. I play in a community wind ensemble that gives 10 concerts a year, and performs material from marches to large concert pieces. I play for the joy of playing trumpet. My playable range is from low F# to D above what we usually call high C. I'm not so interested in increasing my range above the F, since what I play never calls for anything more. At present I am working on using the modified K tonguing to improve single and double tonguing. Other present goals are improving breath control, remaining relaxed as I play, endurance, phrasing. While I have made good progress the last few years, I lack an overall approach or plan to improving.

The core of my daily practice routine includes Arban (scales, tonguing, intervals), Clarke Techinal Studies (exercises #1 and #2 warm-up, fingering, range by taking some of them up an octave), Goldman (tonguing, endurance) Colin Lip Flexibilies, and CG Daily Trumpet Routines (tonguing, breath control) and Tongue Level Exercises (tonguing and intevals). So, my question(s) are:

1. How do I know the best way to practice to improve my playing?

2. Do I start at the first exercise in both CG books or do I start on the exercise I can't play well?

3. Do I need the CG Daily Practice book?

4. Where could I find a teacher who would develop a lesson plan for me?

Any advice, direction is appreciated.

Rick
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Blow Through It -- Not Into It

[lh]

Hi Rick,

I hope these answers will help you to get started. If you practice CG's routines as a comprehensive system, you can expect all aspects of your playing to improve substantially. All the books represent parts of the total routine. I, and most others, will recommend using the Earl Irons book in place of the Colin flexibilities, especially as you begin.

1. How do I know the best way to practice to improve my playing?

Focused, systematic, and purpose-driven repetition is best. A comprehensive approach, such as Claude Gordon's will give you a thorough and balanced preparation that will prepare your independent skills in an integrated way. Finally "How, What, and When to practice" makes all the difference. As you progress, pay attention to your progress, and adjust your routines so that the material that makes up your routines remains vital and appropriate to your current needs. Rest often and regularly.

2. Do I start at the first exercise in both CG books or do I start on the exercise I can't play well?

If you can play the pedal tones, begin the systematic approach on Lesson Two. The pedals don't have to be perfect... they will develop over time, but you need to be able to play them so you can practice to improve them. Similarly, the Daily Trumpet Routines should begin on Lesson Three, unless you cannot play lesson One and Two. Since everything after this point requires you to perform the exercises with a number of articulation models, you need the basic level of slurring represented in the first two lessons. If this is difficult, play the exercises hundreds of times slowly and softly, resting regularly, until you develop the knack.

3. Do I need the CG Daily Practice book?

I assume this is the Daily Trumpet Routines? Definitely, yes! It is a terrific opportunity to develop a solid foundation of fundamental skills through focused repetition.

4. Where could I find a teacher who would develop a lesson plan for me?

If you PM me, I would be very happy to help you put together a carefully considered sequence of CG routines. Alternatively, there are a number of former Gordon students who frequent the TH..... successful performers and teachers... of whom John Mohan (Chicago), Jeff Purtle (SC), Eric Bolvin (SFO) and Matt Graves (NY) are probably the best known to TH members... who would also be quite happy to help you.

Hope you find this information helpful, and best of luck!

Regards

Dave
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Eclipse Enigma Bb trumpet 2011
Olds Super Bb trumpet 1958
Eclipse Red Flugelhorn 2011
Selmer Paris model 59 Piccolo 1977
Conn New Invention Cornet 1913

[Bronxgroove]