Byron Y
Instruments: Trumpet
Styles: Classical
Byron Y
Instruments: Trumpet
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Master of Music
Doctorate of Musical Arts ABD
I have been continuously employed as a professional trumpet player since the age of 15. Currently, I hold positions as principal trumpet with the state philharmonic orchestra of Sonora, Mexico; second trumpet with the Sierra Vista Symphony; third trumpet with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, substitute/extra with the Phoenix Symphony and Tucson Symphony Orchestra. My teachers have included principal trumpeters of the Cleveland Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Formerly, I was principal trumpet for the New Jersey Pops Orchestra as well as the founder and leader of the New Jersey Chamber Music Society Brass Quintet.
I have taught private trumpet lessons continuously since 1994. Chronologically, beginning with the most recent: Instituto Sonorense de Cultura as Principal Trumpet with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Sonora, beginner to adult, in Spanish 2015-2020; Kirk's Music Studio (Scottsdale) 2013-2015; The Music Store (Mesa) 2013-2015; Kidznotes 2011-2012; University of Arizona, Graduate Teaching Assistant in Trumpet 2008-2011; New Jersey Chamber Music Society, Brass Coach 1997-2001; French Woods (NY) Festival, Trumpet Faculty 1994.
I do not adhere to a methodology nor a pedagogy (which to me is a four letter word). I apply a the credo "Song and Wind" to quote the late, great Arnold Jacobs, Principal Tuba of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra during much of their heyday. I combine this musical and airflow based approach with the science of sound production in a pipe (a trumpet) and the physics of human anatomy in producing this sound with nearly zero effort. This is how the great masters play. Why does it look and sound easy for them? Because it is! If it is not easy for you, then you are doing something that can be improved upon. This applies whether you are playing music or any sport, juggling, riding a unicycle, etc. In my science-based approach to the trumpet, we do what we absolutely have to in order to find the sound and not one thing more.
Despite my background (initial lessons with my father, etc.), my teaching style is very easygoing. I lead by example. I use this approach when I play principal trumpet and therefore am, technically, in charge of the brass section. With my colleagues I almost never give any verbal feedback or instruction; they figure it out based on what comes out my trumpet bell 99.9% of the time. I really dislike having to say anything; I consider it disrespectful to my colleagues and above all, it misses the point; words cannot express what music can. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a musical phrase worth? With students, especially young ones, I realize there is usually a need to encourage them to practice, especially with myriad other extracurricular activities jousting for their time and attention. At this age, playing at all is 100% more effective than playing none. I try to find out what their musical interests are and encourage them to play tunes that they like, or even improvise tunes. Scales, etc. all come in time. Again, I try to inspire by example. I've been told many times that my love of music and the trumpet is contagious. You either catch the (music) disease or you don't! I just try to provide ample opportunity to catch it.
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