Philip Smith - Dealing with Embouchure Dystonia

[@terencenelson4472]

Phil Smith is, in my view, a wonderful example of nobility and dignity.

[@sergechevanelle9159]

O

[@laser170323]

Amen.

[@nycboyforlife]

One of the nicest, most humble people I have ever met. I was in the NYC all city orchestra back in 1983. Mr. Smith coached us and was wonderful. It was an experience I will never forget. He was the person who told me about a young protégé, Wynton Marsalis.

[@AlexandreFerreira-lj4dp]

"Been There Done That" I Praise the Lord because this is a great testimony. Took me years to find out that I suffered from FTSED and Dale Warren and Jan Kaagarice put me back on track. Today, after 27 years, through tears and Joy, God always provided and taught me how to help people in Brazil to recover from it. God, Good Doctors, love and friends

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Phil is such a wonderful man, trumpet player and teacher. Most importantly Phil is a man who has honored God and witnessed for him throughout his life and career. Trumpet playing aside we can all learn from his example; because in the end we will not be judged by our artistic skill, but by our love of the Lord and our fellow Man. We are all Blessed because of Phil and his powerful influence on the trumpet world.

[@saulrosa4523]

Phillip smith. One of the greatestest inspirations for every musicians in the world. Even with a disease that tried to keep him from playing he is still playing in a way that most can only dream. This history help me out not because of distonya but i was diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma that can cause me facial paralysis and earing loss too. but i will keep playing every day to se if i can become a decent trumpet player just like a fighter that Phillip smith is. thank you for sharing this video.

[@MattAllenTeller]

Just commenting that dystonia is not a disease. It is a brain path problem, in which the brain decides to do things that you do not think you are intending. The only way out is to change how the brain is approaching playing, and it can be done in a number of ways, whatever works for the person. Some are more successful than others...and as soon as one falls back into the old brain path pattern, the old problem will re-manifest.

[@bramwelltovey3938]

How inspiring to hear someone of Phil’s eminence and achievements share his journey through adversity with such openness and integrity. This is who this man is, on a daily basis. His visit to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain as a guest conductor the summer he left the NY Phil was one of the greatest events in the band’s recent history. I sat spellbound as he worked his teaching magic alongside his world class musicianship with the best in the UK. Unforgettable.

[@Texasdav1]

I love Phil Smith's story. I think God is using you Phil. You are a great teacher, and player.

[@KQKQ23]

man, I really started to tear up a little when he started getting choked up near the end. I'm glad he is dealing with it and celebrating the small victories along the way

[@andrechpelitch5731]

Thank you Philip for your testimony so sincere that will help many musicians. Few artists of your renown speak of their problems, you are a model for all of us, thank you for your great humanity

[@richtapper5094]

Wonderful, wonderful interview. Mr. Smith's story is SO rarely told -- and I'm sure experienced by a lot of players. I'm working through dystonia as well, and it's been a long, lonely road with few markers. But they are getting more and more visible with stories like this. Thank you, Paul, for posting.

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

How interesting it is that life took Phil to the top of the mountain and now he is in the valley looking up in total amazement at the ride he has been on. Be grateful for being alive and for all the blessings that have been sent your way.

[@williamharris1131]

Thank you for your words Phil and I feel your pain as well as shedding many tearful moments also! I too suffer from Embouchure Dystonia and it has been very distressing to have had to "retire" because of "chop problems" after 49 yrs of performing (Principal Trombone) with the Syracuse Symphony in 2009. [By the way, I was a member of the USMA West Point Army Band from 1963 to 1966] I have tried to work through this by myself, by going back to the Fundamentals, which has worked sometimes but however with too much inconsistency, making playing professionally impossible due to the absence of a "reliable" response. I have Lucinda's books and have yet to reach out to Jan, which I may or for that matter - should do - but I keep thinking I might be able work this out by myself by some miracle happening, which to date, has not happened. I, too, am totally bewildered as to "how it happened" and hope and pray that some "miracle" will occur. If it does - AWESOME - if it doesn't - well - It's been a great ride and I am very grateful to God for the many successful years I have had! [e-mail]

[@TheKudos50]

I quit my trumpet career after conservatoire because of these problems. Quitting was the right choice for me but making this recovery while playing at such a high level is a huge triumph.

[@josezarzo2607]

Thanks so much for your thoughts Philip! One of the greatest Symphony trumpeters ever!❤️

[@BIGDH2000]

Great interview. Had several lessons from Phil as a youngster at music camp. What an emotional journey he is going through. Praying for him.

[@TimothyMoke]

Phil Smith is a wonderful and faithful man of God. Jesus be praised!

[@dancecompetition3691]

Phil is God’s faithful trumpeter! With the best sound ever recorded in the genre! Thank God for him

[@musicofnote1]

No, c'mon. EVERYONE knows you MUST buzz. Buzz, Buzz, Buzz. Well, buzzing with some of the best teachers killed my trumpet playing. My throat closed such, that I couldn't play anything anymore. 9 years of not playing and I decided to play again, but NOT trumpet. So I picked up a trombone. 1991 I started with a guy who didn't want to hear buzzing didn't want to hear scales. He told me "Go for the sound. If the sound is good, chances are you're doing it right." Got my teaching certificate for tenor and euphonium in 1996. In 1995 I even stopped playing tenor and switched to bass EXCEPT for my final exam pieces which I played on the tenor and that was just about the last time I played tenor. Played bass in a trombone quartet for almost 20 years and a local orchestra as bass trombonist for 5 years. I do not do any buzzing. The closest I come to exercises is starting a kind a chicowiz exercise to start with a great sound in the middle and expand in both directions at the same time, just going for the great bass trombone sound. But no buzzing.

[@jazztrumpet-8246]

I’ve been playing for about 30 years and now I am beginning to listen to classical trumpet playing intensely. I am mostly a Salsa, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Funk etc… trumpeter. I’ve always enjoyed listening to classical but now I’ve opened my heart to knowing to intricacies of this beautiful music. My practicing consists of (everyday) long tones, scales, slurs, and tonguing. That is it. Of course I do practice the music that will be played for the upcoming event. But that is it. I’ve never done buzzing and did not do anything that will hurt me. I really appreciate Phil’s honesty and humility. I also appreciate his reverence and humbleness towards God. Thank you.

[@samtabulous7295]

Phil, I had just gotten hired at my dream airline as a pilot. In training I fell ill. Had to medically retire. I know what it feels like to lose something so big. It’s a humility that I now cherish. Why me? Why not me. Most principal trumpet players stay too long, eventually lose their chops and are forced out. This fate didn’t befall you. I could run this list of names as could you. Peace brother. A great career!

[@cronsell]

"Go back to being 7 and not knowing anything, and start to play again." praise God for his PRESENCE and salvation. I love you Phil; thank you for letting God speak to me through you.

[@DCronk-qc6sn]

Boogie, oogie, oogie..... Infantilism writ large.

[@tomschlueter7034]

As great of a trumpet player as Phil is, and thank the Lord for that, it's his humility and testimony that I admire most. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, ..., in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

[@pictyus]

Totally agree. And glad I found this post as I had no idea what had happened to my lips, but now at least I know I'm not the only one to experience dystonia 🙂

[@joshuakrautner6159]

Just beautiful. I admire your perseverance Philip. You give me strength :)

[@MrHazelRah]

Beautiful testimony. God bless you, Phil.

[@kevinhateswriting]

As a comeback player I find Phil's experience and fortitude so inspiring.

[@jackfrost127]

This. I needed this! Going through the same issue now. 4 days a week I’m a monster and the rest of the time I can’t even play hot cross buns.

[@robertogarza747]

Thank you for sharing this video it help me so so much God Bless yall

[@jambajoby32]

Phil my brother being able to redefine ourselves is crucial to moving forward! You have your legacy and no one can take that from you!!

[@lpcruz5661]

A so touching testimony. Amen.

[@trompetakentron]

This reminds me the teachings of my professor in Franca, Antoine Curé, that had an accident years ago and couldn’t control his lips. The approach follows the same principles Mr. Smith. describes here.

[@DjangobeatTV]

It's curable. I'm a guitarist and I'm nearly cured. I've had it for nearly 3 years and have tried lots of things. What I'm doing now works. I'd recommend looking into Prof.Joaquin Fabra who has been curing people since the early 90's.

[@violinbuff3782]

I remember you from Juilliard when I was a trumpet major viola minor. I do not play trumpet these days and focused on viola more. We all knew you were such a fine player. Great that you continue to inspire younger players. Sorry you have to deal with dystonia and yet I sense an overall humility in the face of music and of life and surely the experience brings a profound perspective to your teaching!. Bravo on the very fine interview. Eric Shumsky

[@hshager5548]

Just trust Him! True for every Christ-follower. Whether a world-famous trumpet player with focal dystonia or an obscure retired horn professor whose wife just died of cancer. "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow."

[@hansyvindlunde7742]

Im very sorry to hear about your condition. However its kind of inspiring to me also since the same thing happened to me and until now I never could understand what happened. I had a nice lesson with you at Juilliard about 15 - 20 years ago? I used to be a student of Vacchiano at MSM 84-86 and went back home to Norway and got a job as a military musician where I worked for 30 years. Because of my condition - as I now suspect might be the same - I retired early - two years ago now at the age of 57. I still work on my ambochure but its a struggle but guess Im just as stubborn lol. I wish you all the best and thank you for all your knowledge you share! Hans

[@hernanroses]

Thank you!!!

[@christopherbarker181]

I’m glad to hear that Phil had some anger because I am going through this right now. I played for the Lord for fifty years and started to have lip problems that I blamed on misaligned teeth. At the age of 68 I decided to get braces and that might have been a bad choice. I have nice straight teeth now but after initial early satisfactory progress, I’m having a terrible time getting my sound back and comfortable on the mouthpiece. I have faith and I won’t give up but I am definitely depressed. 🙁🙏🤔😊

[@jorgeayalamusic]

Loved this interview

[@johnwilder8517]

Amazing video. It takes a big, big man to put this out there. Doing His work. jw

[@horatiohornblower6375]

Love Phil Smith. Great interview!

[@joeenglert]

i have that and it made me go from a pro clarinetist to a music teacher as my embouchure had no endurance

[@RW-ob4en]

“…just forget what you know, go back to being 7 and not knowing anything. You might know too much…” My very thought today as I walked (slinked) away from my practice session.

[@juancarlossanchez7318]

Saludos desde Mexico Mr Smith. Carlos Sánchez

[@yvoncormier9762]

Did you work for Amersham? If so, did you know Jo Jo/AKA Rich Freeman? He played sax.

[@Laura-mz6ut]

I can really empathize with what you must be going through. I've been there. Just trust the plan.

[@sirclamalot]

God bless Phil Smith!

[@RW-ob4en]

Ouch. “Why do they call it Indian giver? The phrase was first noted in 1765 by Thomas Hutchinson, who characterized an Indian gift as "a present for which an equivalent return is expected," which suggests that the phrase originally referred to a simple exchange of gifts.”

[@scorbs2699]

Incredibly moving

[@twistedtrails8128]

Larry Meregillano has developed an embouchure trainer that might help.

[@davidpoppenhagen4278]

I heard that when doc first started playing, he didn't have a mouth piece, so he played just on the lead pipe. I wonder if that might have some benifit . ? Mabey it could help focus the air stream. ?

[@MendelssohnPerez-x9i]

There is a cure for all of that. I am a person who pass true that symptom and I understand the concern of many players under this condition with the only difference that at the time it happened to me I was professional frelancer with big name with my musical genre with a good ears enough to understand music medicine and technology. It took me time getting well informed and trying to organize a very understandable language for anybody with this condition. As physician grand son I sat down to understand it. Believe or not it is a communication issue and it is a lot better understand the direction of solution or make it disappear than trying to be rehabilitating under a alternative or new playing direction because with the second choice the issue still in your organism. But gets what I am coming with the widest info about it and a technology artifact that will disappear it naturally. Again it is a communication problem between music medicine and technology. for 100's of years our career pedagogy or philosophy is no wrong but incomplete. I hope you see me with the best for us soon.

[@jambajoby32]

John Haurbaugh is from central wa univ I think he’s a bill adams student and produces students that have a nice fundamental sound!

[@stoiantrp]

Thank You very much Sir

[@borisdavidov5]

I don't believe it has to do anything with God to pull this from Phil. I personally think that this is inefficiency came from facial muscles disbalance that led into this which some would got earlier and some later in their career. Don't get me wrong Phil is and always will be the great example for many. I accidentally discovered Claude Gordon and his approach on playing the trumpet. Not to mentioned CG is very particular interms of leaps, stating that we need forget about the lips since its only job to vibrate, thus tongue forming the pitch and the air doing the rest...Phil, take a look at his stuff you will be miles ahead and will sound even better! God bless you! James 1:13 " When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. "

[@rickholland9203]

Phil...I have Bells Palsey--since May. Anyway we could communicate?

[@jaydee8872]

Hang in there, maestro. There is a light at the end of the dystonia tunnel...it just takes patience and Calm perseverance.

[@theimp5901]

God has never abandoned you and never will.

[@allwinds3786]

I had my 6 upper front teeth crowned, and now I believe I have severe distonia.

[@alanlangway7607]

A lot of people blame god for there difficulties but keep this in mind: 1 John 5:19 tells us who controls this world we live in. If in doubt think of how Jesus was being tempted after his baptism - who was doing the tempting? If he did not have the ruler ship he could not have offered it to Jesus. Remember that Jehovah is a loving God and only wants GOOD things for those who worship him. So may we never blame Jehovah for what befalls us in this wicked system of things.

[@ClarinetistsMusic]

Love it!!!

[@Kennygrooms]

What a great man...and a great man of God. He's an even better Christian than he is a trumpet player...if that's possible lol

[@jonathanj.4800]

Phil Smith is my friend

[@jambajoby32]

This man needs a Bill Fielder! (rip prof!) Or laurie frink (also rip)

[@thomassicard3733]

Mouthpiece buzzing. Lip with no mouthpiece (or horn) buzzing. ... Yeah. I ALWAYS knew it was total bullshit.

[@gregdearmond3309]

john harbaugh pog

[@mondotrombo7167]

0:52 let me be clear

[@mutex1024]

Hold it. I thought "the lips don't matter" and its "all about the air". Amazing how that nonsense doesn't make sense when it comes into contact with the real world. KInd of like being Christian is believing nonsense.

[@pictyus]

If the preaching of the gospel is foolishness, being Christian is believing nonsense, and men of the world are wise, don't be a Christian.

[@yxcqwertzuiopu9423]

fokal dystonia is so hard to deal with - if you dont had it you cant imagine