The twentieth century topics of trumpet pedagogy and an analysis of the trumpet pedagogy of Sigmund Hering

Abstract

The trumpet pedagogical style and thoughts of Sigmund Hering, former trumpeter with the Philadelphia Orchestra and composer of over 20 published etude, method, and trumpet books and solos, is examined in close detail in this paper.

The basis for evaluation and appraisal of Hering's trumpet pedagogical style is based on the list, "The Twentieth Century Topics Of Trumpet Pedagogy." This 46 item list, compiled by the author and contained within the first chapter of the paper, contains all of the non-jazz elements essential and integral to trumpet pedagogy of the late Twentieth Century. Subsequent chapters contain in-depth interviews with Hering's students, as well as detailed and concise reviews of Hering's published trumpet materials.

The final chapter examines Hering's pedagogical style, in terms of individual trumpet lesson approaches and publications. Through a comparative analysis applying the items on the list, "The Twentieth Century Topics Of Trumpet Pedagogy," Hering's pedagogical beliefs, both implicit and explicit, in his individual trumpet lesson style and trumpet publications on each particular item are examined.

The final chapter also contains three separate and complete lists in which all of Hering's 408 published etudes are grouped by their rhythmic, articulative, and overall stylistic pedagogical intent. These lists allow future pedagogues to find easily those etudes which deal with specific trumpet problematic areas in their students' playing and recommend a number of etudes written by Hering in order to solve the problem.

Two unpublished trumpet etude books along with numerous unpublished brass ensemble arrangements given to the author by Hering's wife, Mrs. Hedda Hering, are also listed in this final chapter.