Uwe Zaiser interview in Sonic magazine

[trumpetteacher1]

Uwe is the longtime principal trumpet in the German Radio Philharmonic.

He recently was interviewed in the German magazine, Sonic, and was asked extensively about BE.

The article was called "A New Route For Brass." Naturally, the interview was in German, but I had it translated. Here are a few paragraphs:

Sonic: How did you come to the "Balanced Embouchure"? Have you had Jeff Smiley show you some things, or have you worked out the method by yourself?

Uwe: My embouchure had always been relatively robust, but there was a boundary at high D. I wanted to never accept that, and in the course of my trumpet experience, I've examined many theories and methods. Without any greater experience of success. Then I bumped into Jeff's little book in 2006. That was the book I'd been looking for. For starters, in the first half of the instructional section, Jeff's razor-sharp analysis of the conditions today in trumpet artistry and trumpet instruction almost knocked me over. He expressed my heartfelt thoughts in so many things that it was very easy for me to venture into his method.

I've assimilated Jeff's exercises on my own, naturally, since Jeff lives and teaches in Texas. In the long run, (lessons there) would be rather expensive (laughs!) but there is a big difference from "normal" self-instruction: when one encounters, in self-instruction in the "B.E. Method", a point where one needs help, one can contact Jeff and receive a very rapid and precise answer. A great service which I also took advantage of several times!

Sonic: What is it especially about the "B.E. Method"? How does Jeff Smiley's "new way" differentiate itself from others, relative to the more conventional methods?

Uwe: What's special with the "B.E. Method" is that, with the help of the "Roll-out" and "Roll-in" exercises, one abandons the habitual embouchure. This is carefully explained in Smiley's book. The exercises are certainly unusual at first, but can be accomplished and learned without technical background. Through daily repetition, little by little a balanced embouchure is formed. Through these, the sense of well-being in the high register increased enormously for me. (laughs) But also my soft playing and the low register improved. Jeff Smiley's way describes a new method, which permanently and purposefully improves competency in brass playing, and does this, without any negative effect on the habitual embouchure. That was particularly important for me, as a professional brass player!

Thanks, Uwe, for the good words, and for the incredible article!

The magazine is available at:

www.sonic.de
Jan/Feb issue
title: A New route For Brass
pages 56-59

Many of you only know Uwe from his demonstration of BE exercises on Youtube. Here is Uwe displaying some fine picc work in his brass quintet, Rennquintett:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o34NFyb9HKY

Jeff

[kehaulani]

Thanks for posting that. I know Uwe casually. He's a good guy! Solid player with no overt ego trips. Glad that Sonic featured him.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

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[azmishz]

I really like this subject. Could you tell me more …

[kehaulani]

[Valerie]

What a wonderful interview/testimonial! Ewe hit on so many important points. Very impressive. Thanks for posting, Jeff.

Val
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Valerie Wells
www.BEforHorn.blogspot.com

[horn4praiz]

Yes, very encouraging! It's amazing what you can discover without boundaries...
_________________
-Bert
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Psalm 150:3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet

[Syntax]

Fantastic interview and exposure for a fantastic method. Congrats Jeff and Uwe.
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The buck stops here.

[trumpetteacher1]

Dude, where you been?

Jeff