PrecisionbrassReviews of precisionbrass.info

Being part of Precision Brass really helped my playing. Harrison and Ryan were very generous in sharing their indepth knowledge with the members and always making time available for 1-1 sessions when needed to address unique player challenges. I started the program with 2 issues I really wanted to address. Not only have I addressed them but I can honestly say that I now have the tools to continue to progress. Playing is finally fun again.

Following a 30 year break from brass band, I saw retirement on the horizon and decided to resume my childhood love affair with the flugelhorn in my mid fifties. In an effort to expand my brass experience, I picked up a trumpet for the first time after joining a concert band and a big band. I ran into a whole new world of brass outside the niche environment of brass banding. I was instantly overwhelmed by the amount of "noise" in the trumpet world, particularly on the internet with a myriad of supposed experts and gadgets claiming to have the answer to all manner of problems relating to playing technique and sound production. I then discovered Harrisson Ball of Precision Brass who has the ability and experience of a pro trumpeter to cut through all the noise and simplify the trumpet journey. An initial individualized diagnostic approach is offered to each of the Precision Brass course participants which takes into account unique craniofacial and dental structures as well as embouchure type. Once those foundations are identified and explained, participants embark on the technical journey of perfecting their technique. The course is akin to an on-line university whereby participants have access to recorded "lectures", interactive "tutorials" plus one-on-one access as you would with a private music teacher. I particularly enjoy the genuinely supportive, professional and personalized nature of course delivery from Harrisson and his team where there is an emphasis of not letting you fall through the cracks. My advice is to invest in yourself before buying that new trumpet if you are serious about improving yourself as a trumpeter. Sign up to Precision Brass. Ian Bolton Queensland, Australia

I’ve played over fifty years at an advanced amateur level. I’ve always struggled with range and endurance. Harrison is the only teacher to recommend an embouchure based on my physical attributes. I adopted the recommended change to my embouchure and began practicing as prescribed. The Vertical Alignment System exercises were easy to follow and execute given my level as a player and primary to the improvement I experienced. Harrison’s availability for private sessions was another major benefit of the program. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the group exchanges and Harrison would also address questions and individual problems. The group activities were engaging and challenging. They took me out of my comfort zone but in a very supportive environment. I learned a lot and enjoyed the groups very much. I ended the program with the Vertical Ascent program, which was quite similar to the earlier Boot Camp. The exercises are arranged in a very logical order with a wide array of areas dispersed throughout. Whereas other programs I’ve attempted predictably go whole hog into a single aspect like air, tongue level, specific embouchure techniques that only fit some, physical strength building through exercises, this program had a little of everything in a sequence that could be sustained. Overall I am very satisfied with the content of the program. I improved my embouchure, learned a practical approach to practice and as a result improved my range and endurance, exactly what I was after. I also learned many other ideas to help my soloing and jazz. I have a long way to go but after being stuck for many years I’ve finally attained unprecedented improvement. I’m looking forward to my exit interview with Harrison. I finally feel on the right track and know I can continue improving.

Precision Brass is an extremely well put together program. The technology is excellent, but what has impressed me most is the amount of personal input you receive from Harrison. Whenever you submit homework, you receive detailed video feedback rather than just a few written comments. Harrison is a very perceptive teacher and has an ability to identify what is actually happening in your playing and explain it in a way that makes sense. Ryan also provides thoughtful and useful feedback and brings another perspective to the exercises. The regular collaboration calls are another particularly valuable part of the program. They are fully recorded and transcribed, so even if you can’t attend live you can watch them afterwards and easily find the parts that are relevant to you. There is also plenty of opportunity to ask questions in the group between calls. One thing I would say to anyone considering Precision Brass is that it is a significant investment, and you really need to have the time to participate actively if you are going to get value from it. That means practising every day, submitting video homework every week, attending the collaboration calls where possible (or watching them afterwards), and asking questions in the group as soon as they occur to you. There is a great deal of individual attention available, but you do need to make use of it. If you have the time and are prepared to engage fully with the program, the combination of the technology, the course materials and, above all, the access to Harrison and Ryan provides an unusually high level of support.

I have played the trumpet for 50 years and play pretty well. I play as a hobby, and that includes paid gigs. In spite of having studied with many excellent teachers and working my butt off on traditional methods; I always hit limits. For me the range and endurance were always elusive no matter what I tried or how much time I spent on technical studies (Arban's, St. Jacome, Collins, Bin Lai - you name it). Working with Harrisson and using his VAS I've made breakthroughs that I thought were out of reach. A couple of specific areas were range and endurance. My range has always topped out at around E over high C. I could play fine up to the Eb, and then things closed up. The changes that I've been coached through have helped me break through that barrier. I routinely play up to G during my warmups and I arpeggio up to Double C. Not loud - or performance ready yet - but it feels great to know that I've got a tool that has helped me reach new levels. My endurance has improved as well. Of course, I'm playing more - but it is more than just that. I play a lot of church services where we rehearse (sight read) songs for 75 minutes or so before the service and then after a short break play an hour worship service. Normally my chops are fried after that. Admittedly it is still taxing, but I find myself having chops left afterwards and even reserve time now for practicing later that same day. I would say the most satisfying thing - even greater than the gains I've made so far - is that I've got a tool that I can use to continue to improve. I am thankful that I was introduced to Harrisson and his methods. Part of his method includes playing along with him and other students and I had the pleasure of hearing many other players realizing improvement in their playing. Thank you, Harrisson. I have a long way to go but know that your method will help me get there.

I can’t put it any simpler than saying that Harrisson Ball, founder of Precision Brass, along with associate teacher Ryan Buchanan, taught me how to play the trumpet. Harrisson is some kind of problem-solving genius when it comes to trumpet technique. He takes a range of players, from a range of levels, and with a range of individual needs, and guides each person toward becoming the player each can be. I think he can do this, in part, because he is not just teaching people to approach the trumpet with methods that have worked for him, individually. He is conversant with a panoply of approaches to technique, and individual differences in players’ needs, and he just solves problems and moves players along. He certainly has done this for me, a childhood and high-school player who, after frustration led me to quit, came back to the instrument close to retirement age. Precision Brass has been a kind of miracle for me, not because I happen to click with what this teacher has to say but because Harrisson Ball and others in the Precision Brass program applied themselves diligently to get to know me as a player guided me to what works for me.

Harrison Ball has developed an excellent course of study for any serious trumpet player. His Precision Brass Vertically Alignment System course is one of the best ever produced using traditional trumpet literature as well as new and innovative material written by Harrison. His program should be part of every high level trumpet studio course of study. It is not unusual to find good trumpet performers who are good teachers, but is unusual to find a working professional trumpet artist who has the highest level of pedagogical and diagnostic ability. Harrison Ball is arguably the best. He has the unique ability to observe, diagnose, and guide students to successfully solve any trumpet performance issue. He is kind, considerate, and unapologetic about stressing the hard work and consistent practice necessary to be successful as a trumpeter. There is a fee for the Precision Brass experience, but time spent in conversation and a private lesson with Harrison is truly a value so high that it can’t be adequately measured. Unlike many great teachers, Harrison has no secrets and is totally forthcoming with his students. In my opinion, this experience is virtually priceless.

This program is remarkably effective due to its thoughtful structure. Like any worthwhile journey, it requires a bit of faith in the process—I noticed improvement right from the first week. Here, they collaborate with you to find the most efficient solutions for a successful embouchure. Even during a particularly hectic and difficult period in my life—selling a house, buying a condo, moving, and navigating several family health issues—I was still able to engage with the program (at my own pace) and gain significant insights. This speaks volumes about how accessible and thoughtfully designed it is. Investing your effort in this program is absolutely worthwhile! Whether you seek to enhance your setup, build your confidence, or get answers to questions you’ve ALWAYS wanted to ask, this program truly delivers. The one-on-one sessions with the instructors are outstanding. You can explore a wide variety of topics here, and it’s not just for trumpet players. The group includes brass musicians of all types, creating an environment where you learn not just from the instructors but also from one another. There are so many different facets to this program that I’ve never seen anywhere. Even studying music in college, I could have never dreamed of something this expansive. It’s a master class of practical, applicable information. I wholeheartedly recommend trying out this unique and effective approach to trumpet playing. Great job, Harrisson and team!!