Bahb conducted a TCE Masterclass in Basel/Switzerland on June 17th, 2006.

Ten trumpeters attended the Masterclass in Basel/Switzerland on June 17th and all participants were anxious to hear about the TCE technique. It didn’t take long for us to figure out that Bahb Civiletti’s name stood for an outstanding trumpeter whose musical expertise ranges from orchestral to Big Band lead playing to all kinds of solistic performance. Furthermore, he was a wonderful, good-natured person who enjoyed detailing and explaining the TCE method to as many musicians as possible. All participants immediately felt that they were being taken seriously.

Isn't it true that there are many reasons to have an efficient embouchure that is strong and especially dependable? In my opinion, there remains a large number of musically talented trumpeters who can’t live up there “trumpet dreams” due to a lack of technical abilities on the trumpet. In this regard Bahb Civiletti contributes to a “democratisation” of the trumpet playing. In other words, not only will the “natural trumpeters” be the ones who are able to master the challenging and demanding pieces of the trumpet literature - now, everybody has the opportunity with the TCE “trumpet manual” to “jump over one's limitations”, provided that “one put in the hours” !

Bahb Civiletti started the workshop by explaining the basic principles of TCE, emphasizing the importance of a centered, focused sound on the trumpet. He followed with a stunning demonstration of the third movement of the second Brandenburg concerto on the B-flat trumpet.It was very impressive and aroused great interest in the “secrets” of TCE.

Bahb revealed his technique openly . Each trumpeter can integrate this “most efficient use of the tongue” (creating a hermetic seal in your mouth) in his playing. Bahb’s suggestion, for instance, against the "more air" approach to the higher register was convincing and he supported the theory by several live demonstrations. “Not more volume of air is required, but a stronger compression of the air between the tongue and lips”. For more details please visit: www.tce-studio.com

One of the most important aspects of the clinic was the “TCE language". Therefore Bahb proposed the 5 TCE articulations which are the tools to make the tongue stronger and give it the main responsibility for a proper working TCE system. Due to Bahb’s encouraging teaching manner and live demonstration, everybody caught on quite easily to the basic principles of this method. As for me, TCE really works ! The way that Bahb conducted this clinic was in a basic step by step approach that was not confusing and one could actually start to apply these playing techniques immediately. Furthermore he worked with each of the students for at least twenty minutes.

It doesn’t matter if the trumpeter is inclined to orchestral playing, Big Band lead playing or soloistic playing, TCE is a great help to gain security, self-confidence in terms of trumpet playing. At the end of the day, Bahb gave us an informal recital. He performed several demanding pieces of the Rococo period. The Mastery of such pieces requires great endurance and high range. It was striking to me how seemingly effortless (sotto voce!) these movements were played by Bahb. His tone was always centered and brilliant, a perfect in-tune “showcase”.

• Matthias Merki, Switzerland
• www.matthiasmerki.ch