A most instructive embouchure & high range video.

[delano]

[steve0930]

Hi Delano
I was intrigued by your post above re Lionel and his high note development. Are you saluting his achievements or alerting us to a perceived inconsistency?

On Jan21 2021 on another thread (I can't seem to expand my range) Lionel wrote

[delano]

Sorry, Steve, I can't explain, forum rules.

[Eliot]

After reading most of this thread (I've since read through all the posts) I've gone and purchased the pdf file of Stevens' & Costello's publication and found it informative and instructive as well as, at times, perplexing (trying to understand the parallel nature of top& bottom teeth - presumably in the vertical plane?).

My thanks to those who contributed to this thread and pointing me in the direction of Stevens & Costello.

I have raised a question in a new thread, "Stevens & Costello V Earl D Irons" and would appreciate comments from those who have used both Irons and Stevens & Costello.
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Eliot
Rank amateur, still upright and trying hard.
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[Lionel]

Delano,
Your post is apparently referencing an earlier failed attempt that I had been working on with the Stevens System. I've always been very honest in reporting my struggles. In fact the described words (assuming that they are mine as I don't see the link that they came from) represent not even my first attempt to conquer the Stevens system.

My recollection of 2016 is not vivid but I was still playing ''Downstream'' back then and doing a lot of lead playing. I might have been experimenting with the Stevens approach on the side. It wasn't until August 2018 when I had a serious accident and lost teeth. THEN I started seriously examining my situation. All I did for a year from Sept '18 to Oct '19 was experiment with an alteration to Stevens-Costello. But I reached a stymie and then quit that technique. Then in Nov of 19 I began my current phase. All previous attempts had been less than successful. In fact I think the one you posted (again assuming that it is even from my quotes as I just don't recall that post) was during the time when I was practicing a strict form of S/Costello And while optimistic at that time? It too came up short.

That said? I am absolutely convinced that my current stretch is hitting paydirt. Am already using it in a local band. I had to make an unusual mouthpiece in order to pull it off. However, this experience has taught me that perhaps the range of mouthpiece sizes that trumpet players use needs to be greatly extended.

I sense criticism from your post. Thus I wish that you had written me a P/M first in order to clarify. Or to at least tried to hear my side of the story. But I'm getting used to it. As those people who promote the Stevens-Costello approach better have a thick skin is they talk about the approach. As they have long been panned by critics. Figuratively ''drawn & quartered''. People resented the Hell out of Roy Stevens. Some absolutely hated him, and he was a kind fellow. He probably got criticized because he was costing them paying students.

But take note: When the Stevens System works? There is nothing like it. Roy Roman, who is now retired taught the system after Roy Stevens died. Roman had magnificent chops. Please see his cadenza starting roughly at 1:44 here: https://www.youtube.com! Satch?v=aHHwIoOFhmo

As for me? Initially, I didn't want to discuss my project until I was about two years into the ordeal. THEN I intend to post videos and sound clips etc. However, after reviewing my thoughts? It occurred to me that by writing about the process as I went through it I could effectively chronicle my ups & downs. That and perhaps this record of my effort might help someone else get through the psychological struggles associated with a major embouchure change. The Stevens System is fantastic but it isnt easy. Nor an overnight success.

There is absolutely nothing as good for a trumpet player as getting the Stevens System to work. Granted that it takes more effort for some than others. Ive been playing the trumpet for 56 years now and never found a system so effective. So let's not hack away at people who're going All In on this system. Instead? Let's support them.
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"Check me if I'm wrong Sandy but if I kill all the golfers they're gonna lock me up & throw away the key"!

Carl Spackler (aka Bill Murray, 1980).

[Voltrane]

Lionel wrote
« Then in Nov of 19 I began my current phase. All previous attempts had been less than successful. In fact I think the one you posted (again assuming that it is even from my quotes as I just don't recall that post) was during the time when I was practicing a strict form of S/Costello And while optimistic at that time? It too came up short.
That said? I am absolutely convinced that my current stretch is hitting paydirt. »
Could you elaborate what kind of non strict S/Costello method you are using now?
Many thanks
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[delano]

It's not difficult, you go to your profile and click on 'Find all posts by Lionel'.
Then you click on the last page (=36) and look 6 posts up and there it is:

PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:59 pm Post subject: It works for me! Reply with quote
Kinda glad that last post of mine got accidentally lost in cyberspace. I'd gone on way too long and should have kept it brief. Also, sure hope that it didn't accidentally get posted as I'll have to delete in favor of this hopefully succinct one.

Okay friends I'm finally about 80 to 90% happy with my extreme upper register. And the best part is I'm convinced that the othet 10 to 20% will follow soon. I'm able to pretty much "live" at High G, and using the A and B natural above occasionally on stage. And as stated my next strategy is to conquer that 10% area and blow good double C's and D's without killingmyself.

I have no idea why I should have done this by pm as long as you feel free to insult everybody here that do not share the same obsession. To fresh up your memory (I emphasized some crucial words):

quote Lionel:
The rest however will fail. We either put the Double C on his horn at the beginning or we'll usually doom him to a career of mediocrity and embouchure problems for the rest of his life.

I hope that people here realize that this also is a judgement about a player like Sergei Nakariakov.
And this is no incident. It seems that your obsession with the extreme high register has given you the drive and freedom to qualify everybody with another opinion as failed players who try to hide their shortcomings by cheap excuses like tone, sound, musicality and other not relevant details for the really competent screamer.

[HERMOKIWI]

[theslawdawg]

Honestly, if you aren't playing a DHC leaning back in a white jumpsuit, and ray-ban shades....it doesn't count, anyway.
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Greg Black MPs

[omelet]

I am told that in private, Sergei's one true regret is that he never learned to scream like Maynard. Prove me wrong.

But seriously, why the hurt feelings? This is just a value judgment. It's about what you like and what your goals are in playing the instrument. He did post this in the "high range" forum.

[dabuzzer2]

Hey Guys:
In order to be a good teacher, as well as a performer, I frequently look at other methods from the ones I was taught. It helps me be open minded and gives me other options to try with students that essentially play differently than I do ("there are many ways up the mountain"). I also find that my playing has evolved from when I started and some of my original concepts were replaced.

So, to that end, does anybody know what happened to the tribute page that David Hay had created. I had just started reading it and watching some videos when it went away - or maybe it's down for a while....?
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"Don't forget to breathe"

[delano]

Why posting that here?

[dabuzzer2]

[razeontherock]

[Lionel]

[delano]

[Lionel]

[delano]

[delano]

[deleted_user_02066fd]