TPTV - Sande MacMorran

At the encouragement of trumpeter Boyde Hood, Sande MacMorran had his first lessons with Arnold Jacobs in 1969. He was able to take monthly lessons with Jacobs for a period of time driving up to Chicago from Ball State University (his final lesson was in 1970). MacMorran played standard etudes (Tyrell, Kopprasch, Bordogni/Rochut, etc.) and orchestral excerpts in his first lessons. Jacobs advised him to use more air while playing. Jacobs was against keeping the gut tight or firm when playing. He would have MacMorran feel his tummy area while Jacobs was playing to be able to sense the “jelly belly” aspect. Jacobs demonstrated on the tuba a fair amount. Jacobs did not talk much about specific physical application such as how to place the mouth or other similar things. From his perch in the audience of Chicago Symphony concerts, MacMorran observed quite a bit about Jacobs’ practical application of breathing fully but quickly. At some point MacMorran had some instability in his embouchure in the middle register. MacMorran was concerned about it, but Jacobs assigned an etude to deal with it rather than work directly with the embouchure itself. Over time, the issue resolved without MacMorran even noticing. Mouthpiece playing was part of his lesson regimen with Jacobs. MacMorran had some questions about that based upon his prior education in music education. Free buzzing is discussed. He encouraged MacMorran to buzz etude fragments, intervals, and small amounts of the music. Jacobs instructed MacMorran to alternate playing the tuba with playing the mouthpiece to be able to hear the immediate improvement on a passage that the buzzing would bring about. Singing. Sing a line. Sing in your head. Jacobs was clear and basic in approach to teaching. He did explain some physiological things, but he worked with who the student was. Jacobs didn’t have his own published set of exercises or studies. Jacobs was able Jacobs was an inspirational figure to MacMorran at a crucial time in his life. Developing low register was achieved by playing “down there”; by playing Rochut’s down two octaves. MacMorran recalls hearing a CSO concert in Wisconsin of Pictures at an Exhibition, which was particularly stunning. That concert prompted MacMorran to begin collecting LPs in earnest. Reiner’s readings of Nevsky, Pictures, and Wagner are among his favorites.