Well, I am just now taking a look at Jeff Smiley's Balanced Embouchure method. I think there may be some good things in it and I may be able to synthesize a technique or two for my program. You will have to wait and see.
On Jeff's website, he somewhat plays devil advocate with himself by stating he is not really a player nor does he have demonstrations. He states primarily that he is a teacher. I don't really include techniques from a "GURU" that cannot practice what they preach, because after all, why wouldn't he be chomping at the bit to show everyone how wonderful his method works? It is the nature of a trumpet player to do so anyway.
Another problem is that he mainly touts his $50 book. Books are great and I may eventually write one to, but nobody will learn my techniques better than working with me personally. It is the rare trumpet player that will become a huge success working out of a book alone with no personal instruction from a real teacher.
So, although not being able to demonstrate his own technique is definitely a major deficit, I will still keep an open mind regarding Jeff Smiley's B.E. or Balanced Embouchure Method.
I like to challenge people and I am almost always up for a challenge. If you know Jeff or Jeff, if you are reading this, my challenge to you is to put some videos of you demonstrating what you want everybody to be able to learn from your BE book. A harder challenge after that would be to perform live demonstrating your mastery ( if you have any ) of the upper register of the trumpet.
UPDATE February 2, 2012 - This method could be good for some trumpet players. Jeff focuses a lot on Pedal Tones in the 4th Tier and the ability to get a full, resonant sound. I like that. He also advocates "popping" the above partial in any given series of lip slurs. I like that. He talks a "bunched" chin vs. a "flat" chin. Although this is a logical argument, logic has little to do with Embouchure and especially....The pursuit of high range, high notes, and great endurance.
Since I don't advocate either the bunched or flat chin, it is a non-event in my book. I do also like the "LIP CLAMP" too. Personally, I can tongue on my top lip, bottom lip, and my teeth and Jeff Smiley seems to make a big deal about tonguing on the top lip. This is great for a tool, but not practical for real life, Double G action. Take "SCREAM MACHINE" for example. I have played lead on this and the written solo. In my opinion, nobody will be tonguing those pops on F#'s and Double G's on their top lip. The tip of the tongue has to be anchored behind and below the bottom teeth on the gum line to get those high notes out. You can listen to the arrangement I performed by clicking on scream machine above. You will be listening to the Army Blues band, not Maynard.
Lastly, I have to toot my own here: I demonstrate the "ULTIMATE" ROLL OUT, ROLL IN, ROLL OUT from a video clip I put on YouTube several years ago. You can see it here: 4 octave glissando to Double high C.
Yes, some of this TRUMPET UPPER REGISTER COURSE has a few B.E. techniques in it although they may be slightly different than what you might find in Jeff's course, but keep in mind that 1 or 2 techniques from Balanced Embouchure is 2/60 of my program meaning that it is only a small part of a big puzzle you, the trumpet student, must accomplish putting together! ( with my help! )
