**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

We continue our conversation (recorded in 2021) with Chris Coletti, longtime member of Canadian Brass, and now professor at Ithaca College.

In this segment, Christ shares the challenges and rewards of balancing a high-profile performance career with family life and an academic job. As the COVID-19 pandemic altered traditional concert opportunities, Chris encouraged his students to adapt to the circumstances by engaging in virtual gigs and remote collaborations.

Now on a tenure track, he enjoys a supportive community at Ithaca, mentoring students with diverse musical aspirations ranging from band direction to sound recording technology. He emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial skills for musicians in the modern landscape and reflects on the serendipitous aspects of his career and family life.

Episode highlights:

00:11 Life After Fame: Balancing Family and Career

01:37 Teaching at Ithaca College

02:10 Pandemic Performances and Virtual Gigs

03:05 Student Ambitions and Career Paths

07:11 The Reality of a Music Career

07:54 Creating Opportunities in Music

09:05 Conclusion and Joining the Brass Mastery Tribe

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Today we hear from Chris Coletti, longtime member of the Canadian Brass. This interview was recorded way back in 2019, just a few weeks after Chris left his full-time post with Canadian.

In this excerpt, Chris reflects on his initial goals, the inspiring mentorship he received at Juilliard, and the profound changes in his outlook on life and music after joining the Canadian Brass. He also shares memorable moments performing internationally and the unique joys of connecting with a passionate fanbase.

Be sure to tune in for tomorrow’s edition when we dive deeper into Chris’ career, including the reasons why he stepped away from Canadian Brass!

In this final episode of our series featuring legendary trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov, Sergei discusses his unique practice routines, including the nine minutes on, six minutes off method developed by his father.

Reflecting on his journey over the last 25 years, Sergei shares how his approach to practice has evolved, the importance of efficient and disciplined practice, and why he avoids long tones.

He also delves into his love for jazz, inspired by Miles Davis, and how it expanded his musical perspective. Sergei emphasizes the significance of practicing 'soft and slow' to improve accuracy and quality.

Episode highlights:

01:12 Evolving Practice Methods

01:58 Sprint vs. Marathon Practice

02:41 Warm-Up Techniques

03:16 Long Tones Debate

04:24 Personal Practice Philosophy

05:47 Father's Influence on Practice

07:00 Jazz Inspirations

09:32 Changes Over the Years

10:40 Final Thoughts on Practice

In today’s episode, Sergei discusses his approach to performing technically challenging pieces.

Emphasized is the challenge of evoking an emotional response from the audience rather than impressing them with mere technical skill alone.

Sergei shares personal experiences of abandoning certain arrangements that compromise musical integrity, specifically citing his father's adaptation of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto.

Additionally, the discussion highlights notable young trumpet talents like Floris Onstwedder and Lucien Renaud Darvary, with reflections on the importance of proper musical guidance and the merit of playing original repertoire.

**Mastery Is Within Reach! Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Sergei tells us his first notes on the trumpet were “terrible”.

But with practice, he got better.

Seems like we’ve heard that before.

He quickly developed into a virtuoso trumpeter with dedicated practice, and lots of perseverance!

Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Today we hear from the great Sergei Nakariakov. We will hear about his early interest in playing the trumpet, which was ignited by recordings of Timofey Dokshitzer that his sister brought from Moscow.

Sergei reminisces about how these recordings, especially a Bach prelude, profoundly moved him and set him on the path to becoming a classical trumpet player. He discusses Dokshitzer's influence on his musical approach and artistry, emphasizing Dokshitzer's honest music making and primary focus on music over the instrument itself.

Sergei shares personal anecdotes about meeting Dokshitzer, receiving feedback, and their discussions on musical arrangements. He reflects on Dokshitzer's legacy and the challenge of performing pieces that Dokshitzer had interpreted so well.

Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Follow Brass Mastery and stay updated via email every time a new episode is released at https://brassmastery.com

Just a quick update for you re: the podcast and what’s to come in the very near future!

Be well,

JN

**Please be sure to catch the link to a powerful testimonial about Greg's practice below! JN

In this episode, Greg Spence of Mystery to Mastery and Denver-based amateur trumpeter Julie Baxes discuss experiences and strategies for overcoming focal dystonia.

Recorded at the recent ITG conference in Anaheim, Julie shares her near-recovery journey from dystonia, while Greg explains how his Mystery to Mastery program unintentionally became a beacon for dystonia sufferers.

Julie candidly describes her initial focal dystonia symptoms, her reconnection with Greg during COVID, and the intensive process of understanding and managing the condition. She recounts her personal struggles, including a misinterpretation of feedback from a conductor,which led to a great deal of personal shame. Ultimately this led to a loss of control of her physical abilities, and even a sense of isolation from the music community.

Listen to Julie recount her determined comeback into the ranks of performing artists through patience, a conscientious mindset re: music and finding her place in her local scene given her experiences.

Emphasized throughout the interview is the importance of stillness, error detection, and a step-by-step approach to remapping neural pathways.

Julie and Greg both stress the need for open conversations about focal dystonia in the musician community and the importance of catching early signs. The episode closes with advice for those potentially facing the condition and a call to action for orchestras and universities to support affected musicians.

Episode highlights

01:46 Julie's Journey with Focal Dystonia

02:07 Greg's Teaching Approach

04:00 The Mystery to Mastery Program

05:50 Understanding Stillness and Anxiety

14:00 Julie's Personal Struggles

34:23 The Challenge of Achieving Stillness

35:35 The Importance of Closing Your Eyes

37:16 Understanding Focal Dystonia

39:47 The Error Trilogy: Detection, Rejection, Correction

40:40 Personal Experiences and Techniques

41:52 The Role of Psychological Factors

43:22 The Journey to Recovery

49:12 The Importance of Open Communication

53:59 Distinguishing Focal Dystonia from Performance Anxiety

56:07 Advice for Musicians to Prevent Focal Dystonia

01:04:39 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Resources mentioned:

Mystery to Mastery

"Greg Spence Changed My Life" video

About the guests:

Julie Baxes is an amateur trumpet player who began her music journey as a pianist, performing with church choirs, in small ensembles and for weddings and other special occasions. She picked up trumpet in her mid 40s and has studied with a variety of teachers over the years, most recently working exclusively with Greg Spence for the past 4 years. 

Julie has performed with the Jeffco Community Band, Jeffco Brass (for wedding receptions, civic events, church services and retirement communities), university jazz and concert bands, and the Rocky Mountain Brassworks, a British-style brass band that performs in Denver metro area venues.   

Julie has worked in the marketing communications and public affairs field for more than 30 years as a writer, editor, public speaker, staff manager, marketing and public affairs strategist, and special events manager. She holds a BA in journalism and a marketing minor from Arizona State University. 

___

Greg Spence

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Jason Harrelson is the founder of Harrelson Trumpets, and has been universally reviled by professional trumpet players the world over as a peddler of snake oil, overrated, garbage, and much more.

But he's been at it a long time, and so there's got to be some method to the madness!

Jason and I first met in the early 2000's in the fledgling days of his now-successful trumpet-making business. He modified old trumpets into things that looked like spaceships.

Did it make them play better?

It's been so long, I honestly don't remember.

But it sure looked cool!

At any rate, Jason and I reconnected at the recent ITG conference in Anaheim, CA and he was game to record a podcast.

I've now shared with you what you likely already knew about Jason.

What you likely did NOT know is that Jason has suffered from mild heart attacks and mini-strokes his entire life due to a birth defect.

In fact, around 2012, Jason nearly succumbed to a massive heart attack and stroke which left him alive, yet completely without memory of any part of his past.

In this episode, Jason will share about his condition, his medical "event" as the doctors say, and the long road to recovery to form as not only a great trumpet maker, but as an exceptional human being.

Episode Highlights:

00:30 Early Days and Unique Trumpet Designs

01:56 Personalization and Client Reactions

05:11 Health Challenges and Musical Passion

08:03 Living with a Hidden Disability

09:11 Experiencing Heart Attacks and Strokes

12:46 The Major Health Event of 2012

18:32 Seeking Medical Help: Finding the Right Doctor

19:54 Understanding PFO and Aura Migraines

22:30 The Role of Trumpet Playing in Health

24:54 The Road to Recovery: Overcoming Strokes

30:25 Relearning Life Skills Post-Stroke

36:20 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

Resources mentioned:

Harrelson Trumpets

Brass Mastery YouTube channel

About the Guest:

Jason Harrelson, founder of Harrelson Trumpets, was playing a 60's Bach Stradivarius in 1992. When asked to trade horns for a few minutes, he took his friend's brand new Bach Strad 37 into a practice room and was promptly blown away. The new Bach played circles around his own horn! And his friend returned the vintage Bach complaining that it didn't play very well.

This was the beginning of what has become the world's most comprehensive resource for the advancement of brass instrument technology. Jason began experimenting with trumpet design and the tedious work of dispelling hundreds of unfounded brass playing myths. Three years later, he began formally exploring the physics of sound and brass instrument design in the physics lab under the supervision of an accomplished acoustician. His mentor was the lead physicist working with Yamaha to re-design their line of acoustic guitars. Needless to say, Jason listened, learned and eventually dropped out of college to pursue his passion designing, building and performing a new breed of brass instruments.

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular episodes of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast featuring the likes of Chris Coletti, Sergei Nakariakov, Manny Laureano, and more.

It's a FREE download available right now on brassmastery.com!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Today's episode features an interview with trombonist/publisher David Vining, recorded at the 2024 ITG Conference in Anaheim, California.

David was diagnosed with focal dystonia in 2003. In our interview, he discusses his struggles, eventual recovery through holistic movement therapies such as Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, and body mapping and exposing the vastly understudied diagnoses and treatment of focal dystonia.

Perhaps the biggest misconception about focal dystonia is that it is a physical problem. While the symptoms manifest in the physical realm, it is a distinctly neurological issue which disrupts musicians' fine motor skills.

David's diagnosis and eventual recovery inspired him to establish Mountain Peak Music, which offers resources and materials aimed at promoting healthy playing and living habits, as well as taking a preventative approach to issues like dystonia.

Episode Highlights:

01:25 David Vining's Musical Journey

04:37 The Onset of Focal Dystonia

05:43 Diagnosis and Initial Struggles

09:24 Exploring Treatment Options

18:34 Movement Therapies and Recovery

25:29 Redefining Embouchure and Global Awareness

26:46 Rafael Mendez a Model of Overcoming Adversity

27:54 Recovering from Focal Dystonia

29:33 Founding Mountain Peak Music

30:19 The Breathing Book and Body Mapping

32:32 Innovative Learning Materials

36:49 Success Stories and Cross Training

45:02 Challenges with High Brass Players

46:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

Resources mentioned:

Mountain Peak Music

About the Guest:

Trombonist David Vining is the founder of Mountain Peak Music, a publishing company devoted to offering innovative, healthy teaching methods for all musicians. Mountain Peak Music represents Mr. Vining’s personal mission, combining his extensive performing and teaching background with insights learned through his remarkable recovery from embouchure dystonia. His Mountain Peak Music publications include the Breathing Book series, Flow Studies, Daily Routines, Long Tone Duets, Trombone Intonation Mastery, Dueling Fundamentals for Trombones, Cross Training for Musicians, The Big Book of Sight Reading Duets, Teaching Brass, and Rangesongs.

Currently Professor of Trombone at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, Mr. Vining has also served on the faculties of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Kansas. Professor Vining’s teaching transcends his trombone specialty, covering a wide range of topics appealing to musicians of every discipline. He is equally at home teaching trombone technique, helping instrumentalists and vocalists become more efficient, and helping musicians cope with injuries, among other topics.

Mr. Vining is a dynamic performer who has delivered hundreds of recitals nationwide. As trombonist with the Chestnut Brass Company, he recorded several CD’s and toured the United States and Europe performing recitals, masterclasses, and concerts with orchestras. Currently a member of the Flagstaff Symphony, he has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Vining has appeared on college campuses coast-to-coast in recital and as a guest soloist with ensembles, and recorded a solo CD, Arrows of Time.

Body + Mind + Spirit = Mastery. Now available is a collection of excerpts from some of the most popular...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brassmastery.substack.com