TPTV - Lew Soloff

Trumpet jazz artist, Lew Soloff was in his 20s when he first began studies with Arnold Jacobs. He was referred to Jacobs by fellow trumpeter, Vincent Penzerella. The aging process and breathing more efficiently was covered, as well as the concept of two trumpets - one in the head and one in the hand: Listen to the one in the head. Mouthpiece practice. Use your imagination more. Copy/imitate great artists while you are playing. Communicating with your body using simple commands. Keep it simple. Backwards “oh”. Soloff discusses and demonstrates in detail the breathing studies that Jacobs taught him. Develop that skill away from the horn so when you go back to the trumpet you can concentrate on the music, not the body. Play tunes on the mouthpiece, not drill studies. When you play, you teach. While you are playing only think of the music. Analyze what you do after you’re done playing. For Soloff, Jacobs advised not more than 33% of your practice should be technical. The remaining should be musical. Nobody teaches anybody anything. The role of the teacher is to inspire the students to teach themselves. Herseth said to him “If the musical motivation is high enough and the respiration is correct, a person can play anything” and “One note is worth a thousand words.” More stories about Herseth lessons involving concept, imitation, and individualistic musical approach. Mr. Soloff demonstrates conceptual playing on the mouthpiece and the trumpet. Soloff credits what he learned from Jacobs as the reason he was still able to play at age 70.