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The smash hit book for brass players by Esko Heikkinen, price 30 €
Every brass player dreams of having a wide register and unlimited
endurance. Many believe that the secret behind a good upper register
must be a trick of some kind, or at least some unachievable natural
talent. On some rare occasions this may be the case. However, more
often acquiring a great upper register, fine quality of tone and
endurance mean plenty of exercise, careful repetition after repetition
and lots of hard work. If we had a mileometer like cars do to measure
our practise time, we would realize how many more miles the master
players have clocked through their meter during their travels. They
gained the miles during the long lonely hours in their practise pits,
knowing there are no shortcuts to success.
This book and the musical exercises I have written do not remove the
need for practise. They are a tool. The most important part in them is
the correct dosage.
When developing the embouchure
it is very important to devote practise to all areas equally: register,
endurance, flexibility and quality of tone. If some areas are
neglected, the results are bound to suffer. If you concentrate too much
on the upper register, your tone and endurance will suffer. If you, on
the other hand, just work on your endurance, then your flexibility and
register are the ones to take the hit. All these areas are important.
The embouchure exercises are meant
to develop the muscles needed in playing. There are numerous muscles in
the facial area and sadly, only a few of them are willing to let
themselves be consciously controlled. Therefore, avoid overt
concentrating on individual muscles while playing and concentrate on
the whole. Pay attention to the quality of sound and relaxed effective
blowing.
When exercising the embouchure,
the muscles have to receive a true work out. Many methods exercise the
muscles too fast, thus reducing the effectiveness of practise. One
basic element of my method is to work the muscles as slowly and
effectively as possible. To develop durability, the muscles need plenty
of light repetition and a lot of rest. In fact, the muscles develop and gain strength while resting, not while working out.
Before moving into high notes start by
concentrating on improving your endurance in the low register. When you
have gained enough endurance you can increase the amount and the
arduousness of your exercises. You have to be in a good shape before
you can start to work yourself out for real. When in a good shape, you
can strain your muscles more and play heavier exercises. You are
allowed to tire your lips, but be sure not to hurt them, remember, you
just have one pair...
My method includes six exercises, each one of them being of
considerable length. The exercises do not contain difficult notes, thus
leaving you more resources to concentrate on quality of sound and
relaxed blowing.
The author, Mr.Esko Heikkinen, is a professional trumpet player and a
conductor. He was born 4.7.1953 at Kuusjärvi in Finland. He
started playing the trumpet when he was 14 at the Outokumpu wind
orchestra and started moving towards a professional career at a young
age with his father, Unto Heikkinen, at dance bands.
His career took him to Kontioranta
Military Wind band in 1970 and continued in the Military Music
Department of the Sibelius Academy in 1973-74. In the Guard's Band he
was the lead trumpeter in 1975-1983.
His first contact with jazz-music
was with the Tapiola Big Band, and the flagship of Finnish professional
big bands, UMO, joined him in their ranks in 1976. Also important was
his work in the Jukka Linkola Octet. Esko Heikkinen received the
Yrjö award of the Finnish Jazz-Association in 1998. His current
work is done mainly in the UMO Big-Band as a concert master and
lead-trumpeter.
Heikkinen has also received
admiration for his magnificient brass-band arrangements. They are
easiest to catch with his own band, Super Brass.
In the 90:s Esko Heikkinen has
become one of the most influential Big Band lead trumpeters. He has, to
name a few, performed with these artists: Dizzy Gillespie, Benny
Carter, Mercer Ellington, Gil Evans, Joe Henderson, Thad Jones, Benny
Golson, Dave Liebman, Arturo Sandoval, NHOP, Toots Thielemans, Mc Coy
Tyner, Bob Brookmayer, Clark Terry, Dexter Gordon, Jon Faddis, Louie
Bellson, Randy Brecker, Joe Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker,
Marvin Stamm, Ray Andersson, John Scofield, The Manhattan Transfer
(tour w), Mike Westbrook, Carla Bley, Natalie Cole ( tour w).
Read a review of the book by the International Trumpet Guild.