If you are serious about studying the Balanced Embouchure, the official method book is the most reliable resource. It contains the complete, unedited method and includes the all-antecedent CD. The official price for the book is listed as $45 plus $5 for shipping within the USA. For the most current ordering information and international shipping options, you should visit the official website at www.trumpetteacher.net .
: Many of Smiley's unique exercises rely heavily on playing in the extremely low pedal register to develop lip flexibility. Benefits of the BE Method
The Balanced Embouchure by Jeff Smiley: A Comprehensive Guide to Revolutionizing Your Brass Playing the balanced embouchure jeff smileypdf
: Thirty pages of specific drills, including 17 specialized lip slurs and double tonguing exercises.
A more widely shared criticism concerns Smiley's chapter on health and wellness. One reviewer described portions as "highly questionable" and noted that a licensed speech therapist who reviewed the chapter "found several misleading or false statements just skimming through a couple of pages". The same reviewer recommended that Smiley simply remove the chapter entirely, as he was "clearly not qualified to give medical advice". If you are serious about studying the Balanced
For decades, brass pedagogy has often retreated from the specific mechanics of the lips, relying instead on vague "targets" like air support or tongue arching to indirectly influence performance. Jeff Smiley’s The Balanced Embouchure (BE) challenges this "avoidance" culture by placing the physical movement of the lips at the center of development. Smiley’s method, first published in 2001, posits that a brass player's success depends on a dynamic "balance" between opposing physical forces—tension and relaxation, air power and resistance. The Philosophy of Balance
The balanced embouchure, as advocated by Smiley, offers numerous benefits for brass players: For the most current ordering information and international
Disclaimer: This article discusses the pedagogical method developed by Jeff Smiley based on available resources. Always consult a qualified teacher for personalized instruction.
When searching for you will encounter heated Trumpet Herald forums warning: "BE ruined my endurance for six months!"