Recalling My Times with John Swallow, Part 3

In this video I am continuing my 'dialogue' about John in lessons. Air support, air articulation, slide technique, tone and other topics are spoken about. Doing these tributes is bringing up all the important vital things I loved about John. It will be easy for players today, to see how John thought about the technical side and the musical side of playing and how it is very different than what is 'normally' taught today. When I came to NEC in 1973, I had studied with Steven Zellmer who was very Arnold Jacobs, Frank Crisafulli and Edward Kleinhammer trained. Even though Mr. Zellmer had his VERY OWN unique way about things in his relationship to playing and music, it was in another universe compared to John Swallow. From how to use the slide, versatility of articulation, legato and natural slurs and overall facility. John was very nimble and facile with many colors in his music making. His working with many students in my view, surely added to his depth of thought process and reference.   The reason being he loved what he was doing and was genuinely interested.

                Part 3

Recalling My Times with John Swallow, Part 2

Wow. Today was an interesting day. It has been exactly 37 ago today that I won the audition to be in the Boston Symphony. Little did I know at the time, that I would be conducting the New England Conservatory Prep and College division trombone choirs on Symphony Hall stage 37 years later. The students rose to the occasion and played terrifically. There was also something else special in this concert. I dedicated the last piece that we played, an arrangement of "The Great Gate of Kiev" from "Pictures at an Exposition" to John Swallow. It was a very potent, powerful and sentimented performance. The audience and the students felt the warmth of the dedication and the students really played from their hearts.The audience certainly received it and gave us a standing ovation. I'm sure John heard it..

Some very nice and funny stores in this next series Part 2 of Recalling My Times with John Swallow.

Recalling My Times with John Swallow, Part 1

I was very fortunate to have had wonderful supportive teachers in my life. John Swallow was special and has a unique place in my heart. John passed away October 20th after a prolonged illness. I called him 6 hours before he passed and his daughter Heather held the phone to his ear so I could speak to him. I am happy I was in touch with him for the past couple of month of his life here on Earth.

In this series of videos, I am not sure how many there will be, I speak about John in our lessons and out of lessons. There are many humorous stories, serious episodes and his concepts about technique and music that he passed onto me. I did not study with John for very long, maybe about 6 months, but we were friends and I would play for him every now and then and he would attend my quintet concerts. I also heard him perform often. So here is part 1 in my series "Recalling My Times with John Swallow."

John Swallow: beloved teacher and performer

John Swallow, one of my beloved teachers and friends, passed away on October 20th. I actually spoke to him the day before that...

In the next day or so, I am going to be loading a series of videos of my feelings, thoughts, lessons and stories about John. So for all of you that would be interested, stay posted. John will always be in my heart and I hope these videos will help express my feelings, sentiments and thoughts about him to a broad range of musicians.

All my love to you, John.. go thee free!

End of the Summer and FBSMC4

Wow... can't believe it is the end of the of the summer and school starts tomorrow!

I sure hope that the videos were useful this summer. I thank those of you who sent me emails expressing how much you got from these videos and writings.

It will be important to take your time with these videos and writings if they do spark an interest in you. Find your own way with them. Some people like to listen to one a week. That could be very useful actually. If you spend that much time with one and listen to it everyday for a week, plus put into practice what is being said, there is NO doubt in my mind that you will get a result. Quick results are often a gift or 'preview of coming attractions' so don't get get disappointed if it does not stick right away. There is always the maintenance work to do. You can't have growth without keeping up the work on a consistent and regular basis.

Approach and attitude are so vital to the quality of your accomplishments and development. I recently am telling everyone I teach or coach, that the reason people get in a rut, is that they forget about infinity.
That's right! If you can remember that when there is a will there is a way and another way, you will always have some productive movement. When things stand still, that is really not being in a rut. In organic development, there are times when things need to accumulate to a specific point and then there is  movement or a growth spurt. Remember: there is always an accumulation, shedding or building taking place at a subtle level that can not always be felt. 

There is vertical growth and horizontal growth. There is physical growth and mental and emotional growth. There are even deeper levels of growth.

In the next week or two, more videos will be coming out. One of them will be on high range, another will be me showing different kinds of exercises I do and another will be with Dr. Carol Viera, my wife Carol.

I wish you all the best for the school year and hope to see some of you at my THINK CONCERT on October 2nd at 8PM in Williams Hall at New England Conservatory. It will be quite an unusual concert and will end with a world premiere called Sonic Slideshow of St. John's Newfoundland for trombone choir. It will be performed by a Frequency Band Inspired trombone choir. I wrote this piece after Carol and I visited St. John's Newfoundland this summer. I will post more about this concert later.

On With the Battle and of Life!

FBSMC4: How Are You Doing So Far?

So far there has been 5 sessions that include 21 videos. That is a lot of information, knowledge and practical exercises with tons to think about and apply for those who are interested. There will be more videos coming in the second week of August, but I wanted to 'check' in with you all who are following this.

Because of the 'live' nature of the presentation, you might have to really take your time and let yourself get into the spirit of what is trying to be communicated. Also, in the midst of it all, write down some of the practical exercises and try them out. But try them with the attitude and sentiment of a musical approach.

What really does the word musical mean?


Musical does not stand for, in my view, over emotional indulgence or a theater of self emoting so others can watch. Musical is in the spirited connection to the essence of what one is doing. The musical connection goes through and through our entire being. It is the DANCE of sound expressing itself through our mind-attitude, emotion-feelings, body and instinct. It is the artist who is searching for the right color or shading, it is the architect finding the shape and contour of a building, it is in the cook pouring their love into the food and wanting to cause joy in others, it is in the healing touch of a sincere nurse when he or she practices the Art of care and on and on. Please find examples yourself. It will put you on the frequency of music as a living thing.


Find a simple exercise that is given in any of these videos or writings that interests you and/or you feel the need to work on. Then find something in life, a movie, a dance, a picture, a gesture, something in nature, to put in your attitude and feeling while working on it. It is a simple and natural thing.


Be the artist of your own music making. Working on the basics ideally should be joyful. If one is injured and has to 'start over again' it is back to the basics. Nurture these basics with love and care and they will be your friends and companions throughout your whole playing career. That is the key to a musical approach to the basics.

FBSMC4, Session 5: SOUND PRODUCTION

May I suggest that before you sit down to this 50 minutes master class in these 5 videos, that you take a look at the previous blog post which was put up a few hours before. It will be a good introduction to this session and will give help advice at how to get the most out of this master class. Enjoy and discover!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4


Part 5