WindWorks Trumpet Academy by Mystery to Mastery | SvV | Activity https://mysterytomastery.com/member-profile/vinokurovs/activity/ Activity feed for SvV. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:49:00 +1000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-AU 30 hourly 2 905f3c3e640b6474e01a3edcebe46f4c SvV replied to the topic Setting embouchure? Farkas one is tiring? in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/setting-embouchure-farkas-one-is-tiring/#post-45894 Fri, 13 Mar 2020 22:40:04 +1100 Greg – isn’t ‘AUH’ shape, at least in its fundamental form is a kind of Maggio type? Doing ‘AUH’ extends the lips forward a little, however it’s probably not an extreme pucker associated with the original Maggio setting – ‘the monkey lips’.
I just read an interview with you taken off ‘The Brass Herald, July 2014, Issue 54.’ and in the text you say…[Read more]

]]> 19ef61399a37684308911663481d6e81 SvV started the topic Embouchure muscle strength in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/embouchure-muscle-strength/ Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:38:57 +1100 First of all – let me make a commitment: after this post I’ll shut up. As Greg commented in another thread of mine I’m destined to write epic posts on forums. I agree – it’s pointless and is a waste of time.

However – I’m trying not to find excuses for my poor trumpet results but possibly some real physical barriers that contribute to my…[Read more]

]]> 0bc5e85b07ae12c5ee00932dce99216e SvV replied to the topic How to change pitch in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/how-to-change-pitch/#post-44396 Fri, 21 Feb 2020 14:05:53 +1100 John – no worries, all is well.
If I never figure out how to play trumpet well it doesn’t matter much. There are other problems in our lives and there are other more accessible musical instruments to use for one’s musical expression.
After all as King Solomon’s ring was displaying: “Everything passes. This too shall pass.”…

]]> d8aa31e667c1830d8c4f3e10b5c63c41 SvV replied to the topic Psyche-mentality and trumpet failures in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/psyche-mentality-and-trumpet-failures/#post-44323 Thu, 20 Feb 2020 13:38:01 +1100 Sorry for my talking too much. Maybe I’m just letting off steam.

Playing in the apartment house is a big part of the problem. I’m more often than not aware of my neighbors when preparing to play the next note.

I’m actually lucky – my neighbors will at most give me a funny look.
In this country it’s not uncommon to turn on a loud speaker system…[Read more]

]]> b0bc3529e59de7cc43097a503091e9f5 SvV replied to the topic Psyche-mentality and trumpet failures in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/psyche-mentality-and-trumpet-failures/#post-44318 Thu, 20 Feb 2020 12:41:26 +1100 Thank you Greg for taking time to address that concern of mine as well.
I must admit it’s quite difficult to take a step back while developing new mental approach to trumpet playing.
Here most of us live in the apartment houses and while playing scales with some mistakes withing limited range can be a temporary shelter, playing long tones and…[Read more]

]]> 41af9a055edc2056c7d7878a8ddc3a66 SvV replied to the topic How to change pitch in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/how-to-change-pitch/#post-44317 Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:47:12 +1100 John – I did a lot of structured experimentation as you call it and nothing helped so far.

I played loud, I played soft. I played with a pucker, I played with a smile. I pushed from below, I played fast air, I played slow air, I raised my tongue, I lowered my tongue, I played with ‘taa’, ‘tuu’, ‘tee’, ‘too’, etc.
I pressed the MP hard into my…[Read more]

]]> f626c70ae556fe0f09ca1b6b7670bf52 SvV replied to the topic How to change pitch in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/how-to-change-pitch/#post-44268 Wed, 19 Feb 2020 20:56:03 +1100 Steve – what’s your point of knowing “what exactly to do” ?
– I know what to do exactly but like yourself I’ve been limited to the top of the staff for 10 years.
– Yes! – I can’t play above G on top of the staff, that’s my “cut-off” range.
– I’ve been doing singing Cs for couple weeks now and guess what? – I now get nice full sound up to middle C…[Read more]

]]> f064bb30d790c2c42ed4c0e2a9c7c9c4 SvV replied to the topic First time feeling that i become to understand the concept in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/first-time-feeling-that-i-become-to-understand-the-concept/#post-44267 Wed, 19 Feb 2020 19:53:34 +1100 I understand the concept, get the feel of it just right but I can’t play above the staff nevertheless. I don’t know what’s the reason for my failure but it seems to me it’s not the way I play but rather some features of my physical setup that don’t allow me to play higher notes. The middle of my aperture just stops vibrating at higher…[Read more]

]]> a02d6cbdf7a68293f45bee5c3aa8bd98 SvV replied to the topic Psyche-mentality and trumpet failures in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/psyche-mentality-and-trumpet-failures/#post-43703 Tue, 11 Feb 2020 09:36:06 +1100 >> Iā€™m realizing more and more how relaxed I can play.

Good for you John! šŸ˜‰
I actually realize more and more how I can’t improve with any possible method and probably destined to crawl for ever below the top of the staff. šŸ™‚

]]> 2408eb3927c05208e2f71652479c2ff7 SvV replied to the topic Psyche-mentality and trumpet failures in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/psyche-mentality-and-trumpet-failures/#post-43653 Mon, 10 Feb 2020 17:05:27 +1100 There are mistakes that I can’t edit any longer due to this forum engine set-up:
– “…work right and as a result got some meNtal stress.”
– “…or otherwise it caN be easily dealt with.”
(b’s and n’s are next to each other on the keyboard, sorry). Possibly something else…

]]> 73cabd048d96c00eb8253605373a389f SvV started the topic Psyche-mentality and trumpet failures in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/psyche-mentality-and-trumpet-failures/ Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:54:33 +1100 I perhaps know another possible reason for my failure in trumpet playing ability. You can still easily find my recent thread titled ‘A Big Question on actual physical limitations’. Let’s leave that aside for a moment.

Scenario: I had quite a stressful last weekend in terms of psychological impact on my nervous system. I had a couple of quarrels…[Read more]

]]> a50dd9255638fc816172a216aa4dccc2 SvV replied to the topic Sharing experiences and thoughts in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/sharing-experiences-and-thoughts/#post-43401 Fri, 07 Feb 2020 17:53:25 +1100 A little more of random thoughts.
– When I start the “Largo session” I “set up” my Low C with closed eyes, taking Big BCH-breath and starting to release the air into the mouthpiece with more or less loose ‘Uuuuh’-shape.
In the beginning the Low C might not even speak correctly. After maybe 5 to 10 breaths like that I find the correct ‘Uhhh’- shape…[Read more]

]]> 174e61fad9ba3dd8c3dd6d1c86e5622b SvV replied to the topic Sharing experiences and thoughts in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/sharing-experiences-and-thoughts/#post-43400 Fri, 07 Feb 2020 17:27:25 +1100 I’m doing Largo exercises. I’ve finished my first week of doing nothing but them.
What I find and what I feel:
– I can play Singing C’s just fine but overtones (4ths and a 5th on C) often are very faint. Sometimes they don’t speak. Sometimes they open up for some reason. Sometimes I feel a slight kick from the belly to active them and then I tell…[Read more]

]]> 8459ced231c984b8e148cbcdc28a4217 SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-43124 Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:10:28 +1100 Today I realized why I can’t do the Largo Status exercises as intended – with the ‘Beautiful’ sound:
– Obviously I can’t find the pitch center of notes other than maybe for the Low C.
– I can’t find optimal airflow. “Passive Release” just seems to be easy. It is NOT. If uncontrolled and not coordinated with the embouchure (SHAPE?) it doesn’t add…[Read more]

]]> 0fbde3ac6f49fe4b29acec2d9a1a773e SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-43054 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:46:06 +1100 Small correction to the above (edit time expired):
Instead of: “I was able to reach notes above the middle C with just the same feel I played them in the middle C vicinity.”
it should be: “I was able to reach notes above the middle C with just the same feel I played them in the Low C vicinity.”

]]> f44bdc3e2846dda84f3c6cd42de93a0b SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-43052 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:36:35 +1100 After a good break I found ONE more interesting thing today – and that is a BIG surprise. I have to be very careful now!
So, what I found: I decided to run all the Major scales in the ‘ CLOSED EYES + BCH + “SAGGY EMBOUCHURE” ‘ mode but only up to in the staff E, that’s actually normally is already quite stressful for me.

Now, my own a little…[Read more]

]]> 1d9c301975e88d4356fa4a4de256a9f6 SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-43051 Mon, 03 Feb 2020 13:52:48 +1100 Back to studies after a weekend break.

What I find wrong with myself when doing Largo Status RESULT oriented exercises.
– After doing Largo Singing C’s for an hour (with breaks of course!) I feel some tired feeling around my mouth (nothing new for me here).
– After a break when continuing with Largo Status (long tones, slurred steps, chromatics)…[Read more]

]]> ba2fecbebe52cbfe795b71a0700ffb5b SvV replied to the topic Harmonic slurs... in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/harmonic-slurs/#post-42914 Sat, 01 Feb 2020 12:06:51 +1100 John – there is lots of sense in what you say. I even came up with some idea after giving harmonic slurs more thought.
If nothing else they could probably serve as a measure of one’s capabilities to navigate the instrument range effortlessly or otherwise.
I now for instance understand that my limited range is not just that but it’s an indication…[Read more]

]]> fc686e7acabed91b63686616579ce35b SvV replied to the topic Pops McLaughlin and his didgeridoo trick in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/pops-mclaughlin-and-his-didgeridoo-trick/#post-42868 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 22:13:53 +1100 John – I’ve already seen your posts (also in response to my ‘Big Quesion…’ thread) where you confessed that you had similar problems to what I have now, that is inability to play above the staff.
You see! – Here you say you could actually get those notes speaking.
What worries me is that I never had any success at finding them above the staff. I…[Read more]

]]> fa78abc65e9feb4eca698b5b1e1c4f7f SvV replied to the topic Harmonic slurs... in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/harmonic-slurs/#post-42860 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 21:46:19 +1100 Nevertheless, I think it doesn’t hurt to know what to do exactly to promote good slurring technique and not solely rely on the method that should indirectly improve the slurs. I mean it’s in a way put up side down. Aren’t we doing slurs to improve our playing abilities?

I understand from Greg’s Largo stage material that slurs should only be…[Read more]

]]> 7946556c739b8c84a0a0368063a719d3 SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42844 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 15:00:14 +1100 Finished Singing C’s for today. 1 hour is spent on this.
In all three sections, C#, D and finally C, FF slurs don’t work for me. P slurs are OK.

As I finished I decided to do just a quick test after a break, of how high up to middle C I could go maintaining the singing Low C Passive Release attitude while preparing the Corners as best as I can,…[Read more]

]]> 18b5b48660a667c8489f3af281b2a73e SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42839 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 14:02:20 +1100 So far I found the following.
Doing ‘Singing C’ C#:
Step 1 = OK
Step 2 = OK
Step 3 – NO way
Step 4 = OK

That is – I can’t do C#-F# slurs at ‘FF’ or ‘F’. To do that I have to engage too much muscular tension of the ‘Uuuh’ shape and trying to engage it I immediately tense up and Passive Release turns into Active Release.
On the contrary, when doing…[Read more]

]]> 38097e4d07beebe82333c21d5d5d2aca SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42836 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 13:17:59 +1100 Thanks John, I’m down to the Singing C Series and I feel it’ll take me quite a while to ingrain the concepts. I’ll see how it goes and if it really takes me anywhere I’ll report back here.

]]> 6e3f9650cd22dff590a07ada7cb1a72d SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42735 Thu, 30 Jan 2020 11:31:20 +1100 Greg generously replied to me and provided his valuable comments about my playing.
The major reason of my problems according to his observations… well – you guess: TOO much tension even when I get only at E in the staff.

Honestly saying I was aware of that but to know something and admit it is one thing and to overcome bad habits is an entirely…[Read more]

]]> 1166bf309324a6d8c1c5cff531b51a49 SvV replied to the topic Does 'General Inquiries' function properly? in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/does-general-inquiries-function-properly/#post-42309 Wed, 29 Jan 2020 19:24:03 +1100 OK – Greg got back to me (Thank you Greg!) and said that he received my message.
So, everything should be working correctly with some minor weird side effects. Never mind!

]]> d40b35e859d55641432423f09328575e SvV replied to the topic Does 'General Inquiries' function properly? in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/does-general-inquiries-function-properly/#post-42280 Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:52:07 +1100 For clarification: I tried to send Greg a link to my short video with some text comments as we discussed in the ‘A Big Question on actual physical limitations’ thread couple days ago and I wanted to make sure my message got through.
I posted this to follow the principle of ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry’.
Sorry if I’m wrong šŸ™‚

]]> 89ccd120eba85d3dc971b0f5f40c0c0b SvV started the topic Does 'General Inquiries' function properly? in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/does-general-inquiries-function-properly/ Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:30:05 +1100 I’m not sure who will handle this but I guess Greg is in charge of all inquiries.
I’ve got a problem with both ‘General Inquiries’ and ‘Technical Support’ forms on the site. This appears to be some kind of a problem but I could be wrong.
– When I send a message in either of these forms by pressing the ‘Send’ button on the first press of a button I…[Read more]

]]> 1317cbe53179eed91860c683a46eb46d SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42227 Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:32:09 +1100 Maybe this image is a little more clear, cannot EDIT any longer the above:
(just experimenting…)

https://s742.photobucket.com/user/DiaxII/media/Embouchure.jpg.html

… No – it doesn’t work, something’s wrong with the html codes. I leave it as a link.

]]> c5798ac9b21078dab187ce5658ab286b SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42226 Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:20:52 +1100 Greg, a few clarifications for the teeth and scar tissue in the video:
– First of all the video image is correct – I’m not used to seeing myself from the front;
– I’ve made a rough sketch of my lips-teeth problems (below) and here are a few comments:

1. Since the upper front incisor is missing there is a plastic insert in its place (drawn in…[Read more]

]]> 3a0ed02fb340bc9a821168a9532f183c SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42216 Tue, 28 Jan 2020 16:16:32 +1100 I sent a PM to Greg via ‘General Inquiries’ with a link to my video and asked Greg to comment here. Hope it works out…

]]> f6612143563f206911c03791d06b2795 SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42207 Tue, 28 Jan 2020 14:36:43 +1100 OK, I recorded a (very crappy šŸ™ ) video and I’ll attempt to send it to Greg for expert assessment.
Need to find some WWW storage now… (Again, I’m an “old school”, it’s all some effort for me.)

Greg could comment on the video here, if he wishes – I don’t mind – It’ll be some help to others.
(I want to keep the video private… sorry – too much…[Read more]

]]> f9a08807a241b8db510ac2a3a0735d22 SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42145 Mon, 27 Jan 2020 13:50:30 +1100 Thank you for your comments and encouragement- Greg and John.
I’ll try to record a video. I’m an old school “phone for calls only guy”. I have a video camera and I need to set it up and film myself playing simple things as Greg pointed out.

]]> 14a4ff90b5b40c74837b884d64060abe SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42077 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:40:59 +1100 I just noticed that the link I was supposed to insert in the first post didn’t come through and doesn’t show up so I’ll try to post it here as a regular text instead:

Tooth Structure and Brass Embouchure


However that’s just to support the discussion. The major point is still above.

]]> 7244dcf64012213c8d1dccabee2fcb5e SvV replied to the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/#post-42074 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:14:30 +1100 (Sorry I see no ‘edit’ button for the above so I’ll add my clarification here).

P.S. I want to clarify the idea behind my post above. I’m talking about actual trumpet playing potential dependent on actual physical limitations.

What I mean: I have “played” trumpet regularly over 10 years and naturally I would have developed enough muscle support…[Read more]

]]> b763f70891e82a05e2f5856c8700cae4 SvV started the topic A Big Question on actual physical limitations in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/a-big-question-on-actual-physical-limitations/ Sun, 26 Jan 2020 17:36:10 +1100 GREG HERE, I’ll make comments in bold throughout your thread so as to be sure to cover everything.

There is a lot of controversy on this subject and different schools of thought. As there is with probably every element of brass/wind playing

Two opposing camps being:
1. As long as you have SOME teeth and SOME lips there is virtually no limit…[Read more]

]]> 32e97e40d892b31556766d9d31dad61b SvV replied to the topic Pops McLaughlin and his didgeridoo trick in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/pops-mclaughlin-and-his-didgeridoo-trick/#post-42064 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 15:28:54 +1100 Or, sorry if I sounded if I questioned the Pops methods and his success as a teacher. He must be a great teacher according to numerous testimonials to his trumpet school.
I only wanted to suggest and idea that there is no probably quick and easy solution that can immediately change one’s concept of playing and make a sudden transition from tense…[Read more]

]]> fbb2e46bb44c82d8217eebc2b76df570 SvV's profile was updated https://mysterytomastery.com/activity/p/6293/ Sat, 25 Jan 2020 16:53:34 +1100 0 7fdfe979697fec720d430880445adbca SvV started the topic Pops McLaughlin and his didgeridoo trick in the forum WindWorks https://mysterytomastery.com/topic/pops-mclaughlin-and-his-didgeridoo-trick/ Sat, 25 Jan 2020 14:13:49 +1100 Hello to this board members and to Greg the founder!
I’ve been following Greg’s trumpet teaching pedagogy for years but I must admit I haven’t focused seriously on the method. However I always watch with interest Greg’s new videos and try to soak his ideas up.

Greg – you are probably well familiar with the Clint Pops McLaughlin’s trumpet pedagogy…[Read more]

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