Friday, April 24, 2009

Push Through The Hard Times!

Everything runs in cycles and it's easy to coast when things are good. But when things get rough, it's easy to get discouraged... just like feeling some days that winter will never end and spring is eons away.

The same holds true with most everything else in life. Most fitting is practicing. As of late, I've been really pushing to improve the fundamental aspects of my playing that I had avoided for far too long. It's easy to "not" work on something and be able to rattle off a laundry list of reasons as to why you haven't, couldn't, didn't, etc. At some point, all players will be faced with these facets of playing, and they have the chance to either face them or turn away.

when you start working on things that you're not comfortable with (in my playing - sight reading, and improvisation)it's fair to say that you will hit a wall. This proverbial "wall" will give you 2 choices once again - face it or turn away.

This is where most stumble and fail because they STOP! The players that push through find sunny skies and green grass on the other side... if you listen to the "small voice" saying this is hard and succumb to the negativity, then most likely you will not succeed. This is the ONLY difference between success and failure!

PUSH THROUGH THE HARD TIMES!!!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

COMMITMENT!

There is a lot of misconception on what talent, God-given gifts, and "natural abilities" are as well as where they come from. To say that someone is naturally gifted is a misleading choice of words vs. a true statement. The unique qualities of this consist of learning a skill, trade, or task quickly... this requires the learner to be engaged, open, willing, and able to listen without the use of "I Know That" getting in the way!

If you listen to the greatest trumpet players of today - at one time they were at the same place you may be currently with your playing. Whether they gained the knowledge early in life or if the desire to learn came later is no matter. What does matter is that they did the required due-diligence to achieve their abilities.

As Bill Bartmann says - put some skin in your own game and commit to learning! Become a ferocious learner and you'll amaze yourself as to where you can go! We create our own limitations by listening to negativity, thinking "I know that", and not being open to new information!

Keep driving forward!

Keith

Sunday, April 19, 2009

STOP Competing!!!

For most of us (young & old) we end up trying to compare ourselves to other players... who can play faster, cleaner, higher, louder, improvise better, etc. and what ends up happening is our true message gets lost. Our true sense of purpose is not to be a better player than anyone other than our former selves.

What often happens is we get so caught up in this "who's better" mentality that we end up losing focus and sight. It can become so negative and destructive that we start looking down on other players, people, ourselves, etc. To hear someone who is inspiring or a fantastic player is a beautiful thing. Take that listening experience away as a method of keeping site of what needs to be worked on in our own playing. Not to compare or rate ourselves against someone else.

Each of us has different experiences, backgrounds, and opportunities. We are exactly where we're supposed to be at this moment!

Like I mention in "Secrets to Efficient Brass Playing", practice the things you can't do well or that really intimidate you. The more you work on these things, the less they will be a big mountain of fear and intimidation. Chop a tunnel in that mountain one swing at a time! No one else matters - no one else's opinion counts! Just keep striving!

Keith

Friday, April 17, 2009

New Mouthpiece Update

As I had written about a couple of posts ago, I have a new mouthpiece that is very comfortable and I'm enjoying immensely.

What the designers (Austin Winds) and I have decided to do is offer it as the "Keith Fiala" model mouthpiece! But, we're going to do it with a twist.

We plan on offering a "kit" that the customer can customize to their specifications... offering 2 different backbores to choose from and 3 different cups (tops) that can vary in diameter and / or depth... all placed in a nice decorative storage box.

This concept came from all of us that are involved in this project being massive equipment junkies! We all own tons of mouthpieces - most of which will never be used as intended again. Most are sitting in a box on the top shelf of a closet and a few select ones are now expensive paper weights! If I start fishing again, I'll use some as sinkers...

Coming up in just a week we will be debuting this mouthpiece kit for sale... please keep coming back and checking Brass Player Solution

Sincerely,

Keith Fiala
Brass Player Solution

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Looking For A Transportable Music Stand?


Brass Player Solution is proud to announce that we are now carrying the new "Porta-stand" music stands.

These music stands are cleverly designed - for instance, the "Troubador is an All steel shelf 14" Tall x 22" Wide
Lip Depth of 1-3/4"
3-pocket cover case stores books/sheetmusic
Storage for 3 pens/pencils
Height Range 28" to 60"
Converts easily to table-top stand
Removable shoulder strap
4 colors - Black, Burgundy, Dark Green, Navy
Weatherproof cordura cover
All metal tri-pod
(no plastic components at stress points)
Comfortably displays 3 sheets of musicAll steel shelf 14" Tall x 22" Wide
Lip Depth of 1-3/4"
3-pocket cover case stores books/sheetmusic
Storage for 3 pens/pencils
Height Range 28" to 60"
Converts easily to table-top stand
Removable shoulder strap
4 colors - Black, Burgundy, Dark Green, Navy
Weatherproof cordura cover
All metal tri-pod
(no plastic components at stress points)
Comfortably displays 3 sheets of music All steel shelf 14" Tall x 22" Wide
Lip Depth of 1-3/4"
3-pocket cover case stores books/sheetmusic
Storage for 3 pens/pencils
Height Range 28" to 60"
Converts easily to table-top stand
Removable shoulder strap
4 colors - Black, Burgundy, Dark Green, Navy
Weatherproof cordura cover
All metal tri-pod
(no plastic components at stress points)
Comfortably displays 3 sheets of music

If you would like to take a serious look at these stands, they are available for purchase at Brass Player Solution
Our prices INCLUDE shipping for U.S. customers - International customers outside the U.S. please see the International tab for prices including shipping.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Your Opinion Of Yourself Counts Most!

If by now, you've read my book "Secrets to Efficient Brass Playing", you've read my story about how I started off as a very talented child on cornet, developed into a teenager who discovered cars, girls and high notes, eventually quit after my 2nd year of college because I had gotten enough negative feedback, misguided advice, been teased, picked on, and made to feel generally bad about myself.

After an almost 3 year hiatus from playing I decided to start again (as a hobby) because I wasn't "good" enough to be professional. I had taken quite a few more "ego" blows and felt VERY insecure about me, my playing, who I was, and basically everything that involved - ME. I held other people's opinion of me (and my playing) higher than I did my own. This went on for years! I managed to land the Maynard gig in 2004, still feeling that others opinion was more important... so dealing with some of the criticism and less than kind words was VERY tough!

After leaving the Maynard tour and going through a few more knocks, I started dating my wife. With her gentle persuasion and undying love and support, I started to learn that what I felt about myself was THE most important thing... above EVERYONE / ANYTHING else! This turnaround has been slow and often painful as I've had to revisit some things that I had buried so deep in my memory that I could barely recall them... until I gave myself permission to.

I have not 100% mastered this skill, but I am MUCH better at it as I don't ask what others think about my performance anymore... I no longer feel that need. I have had run-in's with "critics" of my playing, me as a person, etc. in recent times (see a post below) and no longer feel threatened or intimidated. What I've also found is that my playing has improved 10 fold because of 1 very important opinion... MY OWN! In a way, I've given myself permission to release all that is unimportant and practice for myself, my music, and to compete / impress no one but myself.

It was said to me "I am superior to no one but my former self"... this has had THE greatest impact on me as a person AND as a musician!

So do yourself THE biggest favor that you can... fall in love with yourself, who you are, and where you are right now in playing, life, etc. You can't better yourself until you've found out who you are!

All the best -

Keith Fiala
Brass Player Solution

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Internet Perpetuates Cowardess Bravery!

When I was a kid, CB radio's were all the rage. Smokey & The Bandit, among other movies that surrounded around communication over airwaves for the masses. This communication helped those that feel poorly about themselves inflict hatred, slander, and acidic speech on others. Making them feel better about being themselves, if even for just a minute.

If you go to youtube, forums, chat sites, and even blogs, you'll see the next generation of these weak individuals. These people want to squelch progress and celebrate in idiot fashion!

One of the many ways you can identify these weak individuals is that they have nothing positive to contribute. They look for mistakes, weaknesses, or create them out of thin air. These are the people who will try with all their might to keep you from your dreams! Why? Because real bravery starts with believing in yourself, who you are, and what you do!

No one is safe from these individuals, but we can out-number them simply by acts of kindness and ignoring their stupidity!

My thought for the day is this!

No one else or their "opinion" really matters unless you give it meaning. If that person spoke a language that you didn't understand and no one was around to translate for you, it would be meaningless and empty!

Critical people who are so cowardly that they can't even use their real names or a genuine email address should really consider coming to one of my clinics and introduce themselves as a brave soul vs. a weak coward! Ben?

Monday, April 6, 2009

New Mouthpiece!

I made a switch to a new mouthpiece just after my show with Randy Brecker... the switch primarily involved a smaller diameter cup (from .620 to .600) and feels really good! Attached are some pictures and a video...








Sunday, April 5, 2009

Keith Playing

I haven't posted too many videos of me playing yet, so here's one from the other night... we were just kinda messing around with our new camera.

Enjoy!

Always Make Music!

Technorati Profile

Many times, brass players (trumpeters in particular) get caught up in the high note game and forget that our main objective is / was / and always will be to make music!

In upcoming weeks, we will be offering more products on our website, Click Here to view. Such products as collapsible music stands, Keith Fiala / Austin Winds signature mouthpieces, valve / slide oil, etc.

Keep coming back to see more!!!

Visit other great music blogs by clicking here

Friday, April 3, 2009

Natural Ways To Calm Your Nerves!

If you've performed live, you've probably experienced anything from butterflies in the stomach to absolute fear! I've been performing for many years now, but there are certain shows, guest artists, and audiences that can stun you or knock you off of your game. My biggest stage fright was my first night with Maynard Ferguson. Every note I played had the thought of "am I really doing this" attached to it! Along with "Don't Screw up!"

Last Saturday (3/28/09) I performed with Randy Brecker... I play lead trumpet for Temple Jazz Orchestra and Randy was our guest artist. Not only was I nervous because he has been a player I've watched for years, but because the tunes were pretty challenging. Friday's rehearsal was nerve racking!

My wife recommended that I try taking Magnesium (liquid form)to help me calm down. About 45 minutes after taking it, I noticed that I felt much more calm, focused and at ease. The show went very well and I didn't feel rattled!

Check out the show below... and enjoy!

Keith Fiala
www.brassplayersolution.com