Caruso Method: Why I Was Doing It WRONG for Decades!

Hey Friends, Donovan here for Trumpet Thoughts! This channel started because I'm constantly trying to figure out how this "stupid coil of torture" works, and my journey has taken me through Chicowicz, Reinhardt, Callet, and Maggio. But there has always been one controversial school of thought that never quite clicked for me: the Carmine Caruso method. For years, I thought Caruso was an isometric exercise—a system of calisthenics designed to build brute strength and "play to failure." Because of this misnomer, the more I practiced it, the worse my sound, range, and endurance got. I was doing it WRONG for decades. In this video, I share my recent breakthrough: I realized Caruso isn't primarily about strength; it's about FEELING, TIMING, and COORDINATION. It's about figuring out the minimal amount of motion required to change pitch, training your body where the notes lie, and achieving ultimate playing efficiency. What I cover in this deep dive: The crucial difference between "strength building" and "finding the feel." The core concept of the "Six Notes" and why keeping complete playing tension isn't for strength, but for note placement awareness. How the Flexus book (by Laurie Frink) builds on the Caruso foundation with essential exercises like lip bends and unique articulation studies (e.g., slur first, then tongue). Why these exercises are magic for developing aperture awareness and overcoming the bad habit of pinching as you play. If you are a player who has struggled with range, endurance, or constantly pinching your chops, this video—and the methods within—might be the key you've been searching for. I'm finding quick improvements, and I hope you do too! Support the Channel! If you need a new trumpet, mouthpiece, mute, or valve oil, consider purchasing your music supplies from my shop! Your support helps keep these videos coming. Shop our full inventory: https://erniewilliamson.com Let me know in the comments—what are your thoughts on Caruso? Has it worked for you?