Posts by Ethan Kind

This ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Trumpet Technique, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is very detailed and practical, and it will give you the physical tools you need to take the limits off of your ability to create the accurate trumpet technique you want without sacrificing your body.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)

The hands lead the arms when you play the trumpet, and when the hands and the arms move together, you will find your most effortless way to use the arms and hands on the trumpet. In reality the shoulders support and move the arms, and the arms support the hands. I want to look at this going in the other direction, which is the fingers and hand leading the arms.

If you think of the hands leading energized arms, then you are more likely to find the best consistent relationship of the arms to the trumpet. This means as the hands “lead” the arms to the trumpet, you aren’t going to lead the arms with the elbows, which usually means the elbows are held unnecessarily high and away from the trumpet.

What are energized arms? It is the Alexandrian term for arms that are so alive, that they do not create down in the body. In other words they don’t act as a downward pull on the shoulder girdle. This is incredibly important for the trumpeter. There are only a few classical instruments where the hands are supported 100% at shoulder height – harp, flute and trombone.

How does a trumpeter hold up his arms effortlessly, and is this even possible? Yes, but it is an extraordinary act of whole body organization, so that the trumpet player doesn’t massively overwork the front of the shoulders and create a held and compressed shoulder girdle and torso to keep the arms up.

Sit fully upright on the edge of the chair. Raise your arms with the trumpet to play the trumpet and hold your arms up for three hours motionless. When I said this, what were you first thoughts, and what did you feel in your body? I’m guessing panic! What would have to happen for this to be effortless for three hours? If I sent you away for three weeks and said come back to me and be able to support your arms fearlessly and effortlessly for three hours, what would you need to do?

As you sit on the edge of the chair, raise your arms to play without holding your elbows out (We’ll see if this necessary for playing the trumpet, since so many trumpeters hold their elbows out). Did you slump forward or arch your lower back to support your arms? Did you pull your head down as you raised your arms? This time release your neck and have your head lead upward, as you raise your arms to play.

Now release your neck and direct (head leading a lengthening spine), and as your arms come up, sense your sit bones on the chair and your torso under your shoulders, as you raise your arms. As your arms are up, feel what is happening in the arms, neck, and torso as you hold them up. Is your neck beginning to tighten? Do you feel the shoulders tense more and more to hold up the arms?