Flexus book cover

New York trumpet players Laurie Frink and John McNeil have brought out a new book, Flexus: Trumpet Calesthenics for the Modern Improvisor. Published by Omnitone, Flexus is claimed to be "the first book to deal with the unique physical demands of improvising on the trumpet".

The authors explain: "As every trumpet player knows, playing an extended solo often results in playing the trumpet less correctly as the solo goes on. Flexus addresses this problem with new and progressively challenging routines and ten specially written études!

"To improvise effectively, the physical act of playing needs to be a conditioned reflex.  Freedom of expression is only possible when the physical demands of playing are under control.  To this end, Flexus asks the student to momentarily put aside the study of music itself and instead practice the musical movements involved in playing the instrument."

Laurie Frink has been extremely active in ITG. She is the editor and founder of the ITG Journal's Profile column, a member of the ITG Board of Directors, and has done master classes, clinics, solo appearances, and served as a judge at past ITG Conferences. John McNeil will be a featured artist at the 2004 ITG Conference at The Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, June 15-19. More biographical material on both authors will be found at the publisher's website.

The book comes with a CD of around 30 minutes' duration with the authors talking about and playing examples from the book. It is available from the Omnitone website for US$34.95 (about €29 or £20).

Websites:
Flexus at Omnitone (includes more details and link to online shop)
Omnitone home page
ITG Conference 2004