Thank you so much, gentlemen! This gives me so much hope. My BP started about a week ago after a run through for a season end performance. The next day, I had a sore throat and chest congestion, and something seemed off with my embouchure. I thought maybe I had caused a mild hematoma during the run through, so I iced it for just a little bit for good measure. The next day, I tested positive for Covid and the BP was in obvious full effect. Air would just blow out the right corner of my mouth. Following morning, I saw the doctor and was prescribed paxlovid and prednisone. I had to miss the performance over that first weekend, and I’m missing other obligations as well this week and next. But this makes me hope for the best for the long term! Can’t thank you both enough for sharing your stories! 🙏
Thank you for speaking out about Bell's Palsy. I really appreciate you both promoting more awareness of an injury that brass players and/or wind instrumentalist have and do experience. It's very important! I value you showing some of the stats/information about traits of BP and epidemiology.
Another example of a great player who just can't convey the essential ingredients to emulate that aspect of playing. "Think of the great pyramids of Egypt..." What the... What about air support and air speed? What about lower jaw position. What about separation of upper / lower teeth and the role that plays?
Thank you for your comments Robert. The topics that you raised and many more are dealt with in the contents of www.alessimusicstudios.com You might want to check it out.
Thank you so much. I had the shingles and had it with the ear trouble as well. I had it on the left side. I thought pain from Cancer was great, but this was one of the worst thing I have been through. Thank you for this. Carole Paul Trombonist
Thank you, Mr. Alessi. I also had shingles about 5 years ago that involved my right eye and face. I looked like someone used me as a punching bag. I still struggle with numbness and weakness to this day. My skin still has that funny tingling feeling as if the dental novocaine hasn't completely worn off. I have to live with RH for the rest of my life. Playing the trombone is now a hobby as I have had to retire from the business.
Everyone talks about how soft he plays the high notes. Am I the only one realising how in tune every note is? His notes matches the piano ones perfectly. Magnifico!!
I am a junior Trombone player at the south jones band of braves, I am 4th chair in our wind ensemble but I keep getting a second or 1st part. I have been told to do clinics and things because of my sound, however, I can't seem to get it right where it "needs" to be. I would like to know how Mr.Alessi set up his tone and sound and if he could give some tips. I love you Mr.Alessi have a great day.
Nicely read the two intro sentences. ^^ And: alessi an trombone! fab! and the Brahms piece on tenor... also interesting. Looking forward to getting some slide monsters material this way!
I've known two people who suffered with this. One was a sudden onset in the middle of a performance. Both recovered, but one had to wear an eye patch for a year. Thanks so much for sharing a very personal and important message.
My God, as I’ve been dealing with a very similar “earthshaking” path, your generous and open spirit is so welcome and appreciated, Joe and Daniele. Talking and sharing about these very real, yet mysterious and misunderstood issues is a huge part of the healing and recovery process. Deepest gratitude to you both.
Joseph Alessi pisses me off. I know he's worked for it. I appreciate his musical legacy. I understand the kind of work it takes to maintain this level for this long. But he still pisses me off.
LOL - the author Stephen King, after becoming a world renown author, submitted some of his yet unpublished works to various publishing companies - under an assumed name. Almost no one was interested. Same author, same style, same subjects, different name. He later resubmitted them under the same assumed name, but informed those publishers, that Richard Bachman is actually Stephen King. so now you can buy these works, because ... I just listened to some of the contestants in Ian Bousfields Getzen competition, including my new hero Sophie Bright. She didn't win, didn't even make it into the top 10. But hey, she's only 16 so she's got some time yet. But thinking of Stehen King's experience ... wouldn't it be "a scream" if Mr. Alessi were to submit his playing to such an international competition under an assumed name (perhaps with someone standing in in the video, miming his playing) - and see how far he'd get. You have to wonder.
