Brass Bulletin No. 19

Jean-Pierre Mathez

Is sound something you control—or something you become? Jean-Pierre Mathez challenges technique, fashion, and pedagogy: sonority is a lifelong conquest of freedom.

Crucial Years

David Hickman

From illness and doubt to early triumph: Clarke’s “crucial years” reveal a fragile path—where talent, chance, and setbacks nearly drove a future legend away from music.

Jean Douay

Boléro as ordeal: Jean Douay reveals stage fright, pressure, and the weight of the final solo—where one moment can elevate or undermine the entire orchestra.

Roger Bobo

A bold statement from Roger Bobo: limiting yourself to your instrument’s repertoire is musical imprisonment — true musicianship begins beyond boundaries.

Daniel D. Stancil

Can great tuba sound be measured? This groundbreaking study turns timbre into data — offering a visual model that could transform how players hear and shape their sound.

Michel G. Corti

Your embouchure starts with your teeth. This essential guide reveals why gum health—not just cavities—determines a brass player’s long-term sound and control.

Hans-Joachim Krumpfer

Talent isn’t enough. Krumpfer argues that brass teaching must align physiology, psychology, and method—only then can young players reach their true potential.