Smiley himself is a trumpet teacher who works with all age groups and skill levels. After a difficult early career marked by poor habits and an unsuccessful embouchure change, he spent 30 years deciphering the clues that finally led him to this step-by-step method. He has since taught thousands of lessons in the Dallas area, and his book, The Balanced Embouchure , is the core text of a planned series on dynamic range-of-motion exercises.
Others have noted that, while interesting, the book contains ideas that run contrary to established methods like those of Philip Farkas, particularly regarding the flat chin and tonguing techniques. Despite these criticisms, many educators and players continue to find value in the exercises and troubleshooting sections. the balanced embouchure jeff smileypdf work
Rather than forcing the player to micro-manage their facial muscles while playing, BE relies on extreme range-of-motion gymnastics. By practicing extreme lip positions, the unconscious mind naturally finds a perfectly balanced, relaxed "middle ground" when returning to standard performance. The Two Pillars: Roll-In and Roll-Out Smiley himself is a trumpet teacher who works
The Balanced Embouchure by Jeff Smiley is more than a simple trumpet book; it is a methodology that challenges long-held beliefs about brass embouchure. For many, it has unlocked range, endurance, and ease of playing that was previously unattainable, validating Smiley's decades of research and teaching. For others, it remains a controversial work with questionable claims about anatomy and statistics. Others have noted that, while interesting, the book
: Includes 30 pages of specialized material such as range-of-motion drills (Roll-Out/Roll-In), 17 unique lip slurs, and double tonguing.
: BE utilizes double pedal tones (two octaves below the staff) to build strength and coordination in a way that differs from other systems like Claude Gordon’s.