COME BACK PLAYER

     I began playing the trumpet at a very early age. It was always my dream to become a full time professional player.   As I progressed through my high school and college years I began to realize that although I was a good player, I was not a great player. I constantly asked myself, " What did these players have that I didn't have.?"  How and why could they play in the upper register all night and I couldn't?  Was it a trick mouthpiece or horn? Was it because of their chops, their embouchure? What was the real differences between me and them?

Ron Levi

A True Story

     After I retired I decided to start playing again. but I wanted to do it the right way. I bought a lot of books and manuals that taught various embouchure methods. But they didn't work for me. I just couldn't fully understand what they were saying.  I failed with every method I tried, and I was right back where I left off.  A good trumpet player with endurance and range limitations.   "What the hell do I do now?" I thought. 

     One evening while visiting a local night club I heard a trumpet player who was defying all the rules.  He seemed to have unlimited range and power and was doing it almost effortlessly.  "How could this be?" I asked myself. 

     During a break, although I was very reluctant about approaching this player for fear that he would laugh at me and walk away.  I figured I had nothing to lose.  I reluctantly walked up to him and  asked, "How do you do that?"   He knew exactly what I was seeking.  He gave me a smirk that I will never forget and then said , "it's easy."  That player was Bill Carmichael.

     Bill welcomed both me and my son Jason  into his home for a complete embouchure change.  It was not easy.  I had many bad habits to unlearn.  It was only through Bill's thorough understanding of the mechanics of the chops that I was slowly able to strip the limitations from my playing. 

     I have been directly involved with Bill in developing the video for this system.  Our goal was to make the system as simple as possible for players of all levels.  Since there is no universal trumpet language in describing embouchure, we made many test videos of the system. We  took the video to local high schools and asked the students to use a  survey form to critique the test video and remark on any points or areas that were not understood.  We then refined those areas until we believed that the video was as self explanatory as possible.   

My Role in the SCREAMIN System

     If you order the video by phone or email, you will be talking or writing to me.  If you call for support, I will  answer the phone.  If you feel a need to talk with Bill, I will set up your appointment.

     As mentioned earlier, it was a real surprise to me that most of the phone calls I receive for orders and tech support were from come back players.  I  have helped hundreds of come back players because I can identify with their problems and fully understand their frustrations.  My response is usually, "been there, done that." And because I went through the same aggravations, many times I can suggest a short cut success plan for the student.   I will address many of the questions asked of me in the FAQ portion of the web site.  

       Here were some of my limitations just a few short years ago.  See if you can identify with any of them.  

•           Range thinned out starting about A above the staff
•           The notes performing a lip trill seemed miles apart.
•           I'd play for one full minute and have to rest for two
•           I'd save up for up coming high notes on the chart then miss them
•           As the gig progressed, my range started falling off.
•           I'd try flapping my chops on stage trying to get more endurance
•           The Mr. Ed approach never worked very efficiently

      I could probably add more to this list,  but I think you got the message.  BEEN THERE , DONE THAT.   

      I no longer experience any of the above symptoms.  In fact, everything seems to act in opposite.  In other words, the longer and harder I play, the stronger I get.  My first set on a gig is usually my weakest set.   I actually practice for two hours before a gig so I'm strong for the first set. I have told several students about how I prepare for a gig and they literally told me I was insane. A few years ago I would have thought it was nuts too.  But it's not.  It's real. 

      Please take a few minutes and listen to some of my sample sound files.  They were recorded live at different venues so it will not be CD quality but it will give you a basic idea of what can be accomplished if you want it, and are willing to work for it.   I wanted it and I wanted it bad.  There is no trick to it.  It's just simply knowing how it's done.                           

Sample Sound Files (Mp3)

Most selections were recorded using a Sony mini disc recorder and one microphone.   A little reverb was added using Cool Edit to enhance the sound.