The information on this website may be a lot to take in all at once. And even understanding the theory does not mean you can put it into practice. Typically solidifying habits when learning a skill can take weeks of daily practise and you don’t want to spend that time practising the wrong thing! For a course of lessons in helping you to learn to use the Tongue Controlled Embouchure please use the contact link above. Lessons cost £40 per hour and Skype lessons are also available.
Testimonials
Andy Cross, Ex-RCM student who previously studied with David Mason and Philip Jones:
I first met Richard when I travelled to Bristol for a face-to-face lesson. I’d been experimenting with the TCE from books and wanted some extra guidance. Since then we’ve had some regular lessons by Skype and these have been very effective.
Richard is very knowledgeable in all aspects of trumpet playing, including instruments and mouthpieces, and also including the various conventions and theories appertaining to the conventional, or ‘normal’ embouchure.
One feature of his lessons is his ability and desire to find solutions to problems, for example by devising exercises to address a specific problem that someone may be encountering.
He has personally studied with both Jerome Callet, undoubtedly the instigator of the reintroduction of the tongue controlled embouchure in modern times, (Jerome argues that by studying old texts and manuscripts he has come to the conclusion that this was a common method of playing in previous centuries but had gradually become overlooked), and also with Bahb Civiletti who has continued and developed Jerome’s teaching methods and theories.
I can highly recommend contacting Richard if you have even a passing interest in finding out more about the TCE, or if it is something that you already know that you would like to master. I’m certain that he will be able to help you to realise your ambitions.
Barry Cummins, Private student:
There are many good music teachers but there are very few who are exceptional. Richard Colquhoun is both a talented musician and an exceptionally gifted teacher. An exponent of the Tongue Controlled Embouchure method, he focuses on quality of tone, musicality and effortless playing.
As a cornet player returning after a 35 year break, Richard has been instrumental in helping me be the best player that I can be and I have made more progress than I could have hoped for in the last year. Whilst you can learn a great deal from books, there is simply no substitute for sitting next to someone and getting that tone into your head and being shown how to play, using TCE, with minimal effort.
This method is no magic fix. You are still required to put the hard practice yards yourself. However if you want teacher who will show you the pathway to becoming a better player, who can control rather than fight the trumpet, you should look no further. My journey is underway, do yourself a favour, speak to Richard and get yours started. I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Howard Goodrich, Online student:
Awesome!
Yes indeed…. you are AWESOME! An awesome trumpeter, teacher and human being.
This crazy world of ours would actually be paradise only if more of us were as “Kind” as Rich Colquhoun!
Yesterday’s lesson helped me tremendously to better understand the TCE method. Yes indeed, you were able to zoom in, analyze and piece all the pieces together for me. It’s now my job to put all this into my practice.
The follow up personal written lesson summary you sent with the list of general rules and music examples is extremely helpful. It was also extremely kind of you to take the time to write and send the summary. There is no other teacher on this planet that does that!
Your explanation and concept that the “job” of the chops is to resist air made tremendous sense. I’ve put that into practice since the lesson and have already made playing improvements.
I think you might write and publish a new TCE method book…
[…and now I have; check out my store for more info!]
Joe Pirrone, Online acquaintance:
You have helped me so much in my journey in becoming a better trumpet player. I thank you for your passion and your eagerness to share your gift and talent as a teacher and player. Thanks very much, and keep on bringing TCE to the trumpet world!