Posted by David on July 06, 2003 at 22:13:34:
In Reply to: Arnold Jacobs: the greatest?? posted by Graham W. on July 05, 2003 at 23:50:59:
Mr. Jacobs was undoubtedly one of the greatest tuba players of the 20th century. His pedagogical skills were also without question very good.
The teaching skills of any of the masters, did anyone mention the name Bill Bell or Emery Remington, or Adolph Herseth, or Dennis Brain or? here? Philosophically many would agree with what Mr. Jacobs did but might disagree with his musical interpretations.
Many of us studied with other than Mr. Jacobs and came away good players. There are even some great ones out there. The studies on breathing and the function of the lungs were made necessary by Mr. Jacobs' interest in medicine and his emphysema, if memory serves me.
He made an art form out of the apparati in his famous basement.
Learning how to breathe correctly has always been the boon of the brass player. Mr. Jacobs taught a method to do so very effectively. Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Pilafian teach an effective method and so do a lot of very fine teachers. There are breath enhancing devices available for purchase that help with the same thing. They are all correct in their teaching as long as they are effective and achieve the same result.
Just my opinion for what it's worth.