William Adam (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
William Adam (born 21 October 1917) is an American
trumpet
er, respected pedagogue
, and Professor
Emeritus at Indiana University
. He was highly analytical as a teacher, but always avoided discussing the mechanical aspects of trumpet playing with a student. Instead he "taught" by demonstration and by explanation in terms of sound. In his own words, "If your mind leaves the sound of the horn, obstacles will appear." http://www.trumpetguild.org/2004conference/fri/407.html
He gave many lectures throughout his life, but never wrote a book or article on his unconventional approach to trumpet. He believed such a medium was against the very nature of his teaching of trumpet. The only official documentation of his approach in a three-videotape series, A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet. His approach is carried on by his former students, many of whom hold positions at music schools throughout the U.S.
and around the world. His students have included many successful trumpet performers and teachers: Chris Botti
, Randy Brecker
, Jerry Hey
, Miroslav Bukovsky
, John Rommel
, John Head, Robert Burns Jr. (of Earth, Wind & Fire
), Pat Harbison, Larry Hall, Charley Davis, Karl Sievers, Greg Wing, John Harbaugh, Bob Platt, Chris Norris, Kevin Kjos (Kutztown University), Mark Wilcox (McMurry University), and many others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er, respected pedagogue
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
, and Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Emeritus at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
. He was highly analytical as a teacher, but always avoided discussing the mechanical aspects of trumpet playing with a student. Instead he "taught" by demonstration and by explanation in terms of sound. In his own words, "If your mind leaves the sound of the horn, obstacles will appear." http://www.trumpetguild.org/2004conference/fri/407.html
He gave many lectures throughout his life, but never wrote a book or article on his unconventional approach to trumpet. He believed such a medium was against the very nature of his teaching of trumpet. The only official documentation of his approach in a three-videotape series, A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet. His approach is carried on by his former students, many of whom hold positions at music schools throughout the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and around the world. His students have included many successful trumpet performers and teachers: Chris Botti
Chris Botti
Christopher Stephen "Chris" Botti , is an American trumpeter and composer. In 2007, Botti was nominated for two Grammy Awards including Best Pop Instrumental Album. On December 4, 2009, he was nominated for three more Grammy Awards including Best Pop Instrumental Album and Best Long Form Music Video...
, Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, Jerry Hey
Jerry Hey
Jerry Hey is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, horn arranger, string arranger, orchestrator and session musician who has played on hundreds of commercial recordings, including Thriller and the distinctive flugelhorn solo on Dan Fogelberg's hit Longer....
, Miroslav Bukovsky
Miroslav Bukovsky
Miroslav Bukovsky is one of Australia's leading jazz trumpeters and composer/arrangers.He has won the Jazz Action Society's Jazz Composers Competition several times and also teaches and does session work. He won an ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album of 1994 with his band Wanderlust, formed in 1991,...
, John Rommel
John Rommel
John Rommel is an American classical trumpeter and professor at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.-Life:Prior to his hiring at Indiana, Rommel was principal trumpet of the Louisville Orchestra from 1988 until 1996. His numerous solo and chamber music performances include recent...
, John Head, Robert Burns Jr. (of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
), Pat Harbison, Larry Hall, Charley Davis, Karl Sievers, Greg Wing, John Harbaugh, Bob Platt, Chris Norris, Kevin Kjos (Kutztown University), Mark Wilcox (McMurry University), and many others.
External links
- Bill Adam Tribute Site
- Presentation of 2004 ITG Award of Merit and summary of lecture
- Bill Adam forum Discussion of the Bill Adam approach at trumpetherald.com