Thanks for the comment and reference to Markus Stockhausen’s approach to the Caruso. I have looked at it briefly and found it very interesting. I look forward to delving into it fully when I get a bit more time. I thought it was especially interesting that he wants you to maintain mouthpiece contact with the lips during the rest periods of the six notes, but that you should remove any pressure. I think this could be very helpful to anyone who tends to use too much pressure on these exercises.

As far as coming to Missouri next year is concerned, I would love to. Get in touch with me so that we can discuss details. Perhaps we could do something in the fall. Let me know. You can email me here. Talk to you soon.

Craig

I do use a metronome when doing the Caruso. In fact, I also play the exercises at quarter = 60. The tempo is important to keep consistent because it will be your benchmark for improvement. If you always play the exercises at the same tempo then you will know that when you are able to add reps it is because you are getting stronger.

You are studying with a great teacher and player. Absorb as much as you can from him!

All the best,

Craig

Thanks for all the columns you have been submitting. I really enjoyed your approach to Stamp and it even answered some questions I have had ever since I started the routine back in the early mid 90′s.

Take care

Kevin

Thanks for the great articles. Are you familiar with Markus Stockhausen’s version of Caruso’s exercises? Reinhold Friedrich also mentions his version. I found it on his site:
http://www.markusstockhausen.com/

When could you come to Missouri? Next season, pehaps? We would love to host you at our school.

Thanks,
Iskander

My name is Vinny Monaco. I live outside of Boston. I’ve been playing trumpet for quite a while. I studied with Carmine in the 70s and spent a lot of time in his studio watching him teach. I have his permission to teach his system. I know it pretty well. I found your article to be accurate. Thanks for it.
If I may, I’d like to offer a different way of expressing what to do during rests. Your statement is accurate, I just fear for someone misinterpreting the instructions to maintain the emboucher. Carmine used to say to keep the mouthpiece and chops in their playing position. I think this expression reduces the possibility of someone clenching their muscles unnaturally in a misguided attempt to simulate a playing emboucher when no air is being blown. A small point, perhaps, maybe even unnecessary, but better to be cautious.
Please feel free to contact me if you’d like any more info about the system.

Thanks,
Vinny Monaco

Thanks for the comment. I actually don’t mix the two. I will only do one or the other. In fact, I have a few different strength building routines that I use, and I just cycle through them every six weeks or more. They all tend to have slightly different benefits, so I find it beneficial to change the routine up from time to time.