The Ian Bousfield Experience: Recent Episodes
Ian Boufsield
I have had the incredible privilege to experience amazing musical moments, develop my teaching and growing as a musician over my career, and I have always loved sharing what I've learnt. That is why I am so excited about the Ian Bousfield Experience - now I can share these insights with you, no matter where you are!
Welcome to the Ian Bousfield Experience!
I have had the incredible privilege to experience amazing musical moments, develop my teaching and growing as a musician over my career, and I have always loved sharing what I've learnt. That is why I am so excited about the Ian Bousfield Experience - now I can share these insights with you, no matter where you are!
On the Ian Bousfield Experience you will hear episodes from my What I Learned From... series, my Heroes of Pedagogy interview series, Q&A Sessions from my listeners, a mix of highlights from masterclasses, lessons and keynotes, as well as my thoughts on a broad range of topics including pedagogy, the trombone, performance and the classical music world.
To listen, head to your favorite podcasting service and search for The Ian Bousfield Experience. Leave a review on iTunes and let me know what you think!
Join me as I reflect on recent concerts, share insights into my musical journey, and explore the deep connection I feel between myself and my instruments.
1. Concert Highlights and Festival ExperiencesJoin me as I recount recent concerts and festivals where I have performed. We'll delve into the world of musical performance and camaraderie.Time Stamp: 0:00 - 2:28
2. Balancing Artistic Passion and Personal LifeMy thoughts on the delicate balance of pursuing artistic passion while navigating the intricacies of family and work life. Time Stamp: 2:28 - 5:07
3. The Power of Silence in Artistic InspirationMy thoughts on the transformative impact of silence and reflection on artistic creativity. From finding solace in moments of stillness to cultivating inspiration from time spent contemplating, we'll explore how embracing silence can fuel our artistic journey.Time Stamp: 5:07 - 7:52
4. Emotional Connections with Musical Instruments and Historic SpacesI share the intimate relationship I feel between myself and my instruments. This goes further into the significance I find in spaces.Time Stamp: 7:52 - End
Join me as I share insights into building your own spare parts as a musician, drawing parallels between music and craftsmanship. From crafting your practice routine to identifying your personal challenges, we'll explore the journey of honing your skills to become an advanced instrumentalist.
Episode Outline:
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Embracing the World of Tea and the Journey of Building a Recording Studio (00:00:00 - 00:05:06)
- Introduction to the episode and the importance of setting up a conducive environment for music production.
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The Importance of Building Your Own Spare Parts (00:05:06 - 00:10:45)
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Discussing the significance of developing your unique musical skills and techniques.
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Understanding the Challenges of a Musician's Career and the Concept of the Swiss Army Knife (00:10:45 - 00:15:36)
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Exploring the diverse challenges musicians face and the analogy of being a versatile performer.
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Confronting Personal Challenges and Recognizing the Importance of Individualized Practice (00:15:36 - 00:23:10)
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Addressing personal obstacles in music and the value of tailored practice routines.
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Exploring Equipment and Personal Revelations in Teaching (00:23:10 - 00:30:04)
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Delving into the role of equipment in music production and personal insights gained through teaching experiences.
Hey, everyone!
Welcome to today's episode, where I'm delving into a reflective and somewhat emotional discussion as I celebrate my 60th birthday. Join me as I share my thoughts on aging, evolving goals, and the continuous journey of self-discovery. It's a momentous occasion, and I'm excited to take you along on this introspective journey.
00:00 - 00:55: Introduction and Emotional ReflectionExpressing my feelings about turning 60 and the surprising impact it has had on me. Reflecting on the internal battles and thoughts about life and career.
01:26 - 02:47: Life's Competitive Goals to Personal GrowthTracing the evolution of my goals from competitive achievements to personal growth and becoming the best version of myself. Discussing the transition from being goal-oriented to focusing on being the best me I can be.
03:13 - 04:32: Goals at 60: Continuous Improvement and Love for MusicSharing current goals, including continuous improvement in trombone playing and the enduring love for music. Discussing the internal battles and motivations to keep going.
05:00 - 06:46: Motivation Through Love and JoyDelving into the enduring motivation derived from the love of life and music. Discussing the joy of playing the trombone and the never-ending journey of creating sound and music.
12:14 - 13:40: Spectacular Birthday Present!Giving a hint at my spectacular birthday present tied to childhood dreams. Reflecting on the importance of celebrating life's milestones.
Thank you for joining me on this introspective journey. Don't forget to subscribe for more content, and if you're curious about my special birthday present, sign up for the newsletter at my website [link below] for an exclusive look! Cheers to life, music, and the journey ahead.
https://www.ianbousfield.com/
Hey, everyone! In today's podcast, I'll be diving into a detailed review of the Tatu Mutes made in Hungary. At first glance, I was skeptical due to its lightweight and flexible design, but after putting it to the test, I was pleasantly surprised. Join me as I explore its features, sound quality, and durability in this comprehensive review.
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00:00 - 01:05: First Impressions and Design
- Discussing the Tatu Mute's 3D printed construction, perceived flimsiness, and initial thoughts on its style, weight, and comfort.
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01:11 - 02:11: Sound Quality and Playing Test
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Evaluating the Tatu Mute's sound quality, intonation, and playability through various tests, including a high register exploration.
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02:20 - 03:41: Durability Test and Build Quality
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Performing a durability test, dropping the Tata Mutes onto a hard floor, examining cork quality, and addressing concerns about its light and flimsy appearance.
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03:58 - 06:11: Final Thoughts, Price, and Rating
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Summarizing the Tatu Mute's overall performance, expressing satisfaction, discussing the retail price of €99, and providing a current rating of 94 marks out of 100.Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for more reviews and musical content!https://linktr.ee/ianbousfieldofficial
With so much great equipment out on the market, I decided to take a look through and see if I can help guide how you spend your hard earned cash. Hope you enjoy it! You can also find the video on my YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/wg7ZJXFrwg4
I'll share my personal struggles as to whether I should play this music, and in general the responsibility of handling pieces of great art. Hopefully adding humour to trying to finding life's meaning in the music. Let's remember: tackle challenging pieces seriously and embrace the ongoing quest for improvement.
Introduction (00:00:00 - 00:00:45:14)
In the opening segment, I share my initial reflections on the unique experience of playing Bach on the cello.
Versatility of Bach's Cello Suites (00:00:45:16 - 00:02:25:18)
We delve into the versatility of Bach's compositions for cello,
Performer's Responsibility and Rostropovich (00:02:25:20 - 00:04:48:24)
Reflecting on the performer's responsibility, I discuss Rostropovich's approach and touch on perhaps why he waited so long before recording them.
Phrasing, Breathing, and Personal Experiences (00:04:49:01 - 00:07:40:20)
Emphasising the significance of phrasing and breathing, I share personal anecdotes about my struggles and growth during practice.
Articulation, Interpretation, and Final Thoughts (00:07:40:22 - 00:11:49:02)
Let's explore the role of articulation, delve into my perspective on the debate, and discuss cautionary advice. I'll conclude with remarks on the gravity of approaching challenging musical pieces.
Hey everyone!
Today, I want to share a bit about my approach to fitness and mental well-being as a musician. I've received some great questions from you, and I thought it's time to dive into this important aspect of our lives.
00:00:00 - 00:02:32:19 | Finding My Fitness Groove
I kick off my day with a morning routine that includes a run to the fitness studio, some cardio on the elliptical trainer, weights, and a refreshing swim or cold shower. I'm not a long-distance runner, but I love sprinting, and staying active makes a huge difference in how I feel. It's not about impressing anyone; it's about feeling better in my own skin.
00:02:33:00 - 00:11:47:03 | Balancing My Diet
Let's talk diet. I follow a mostly vegan diet for a few days a week, but I'm no purist. I enjoy a good steak when I feel like it. I've even concocted my own calorie bomb – a mixture of peanut butter, tahini, and honey – that keeps me satisfied. It's about finding what works for you, not following trends.
00:14:01:10 - 00:18:56:23 | Dealing with Stress and Pressures
Being a musician comes with its fair share of stress, whether it's performing in front of an audience or dealing with the bureaucracy of the industry. I've faced setbacks, financial challenges, and moments of self-doubt. But when I pick up my instrument, it all fades away. Music is my refuge.
00:18:57:00 - 00:34:41:19 | Handling Setbacks in Music and Life
Life is full of setbacks, from financial hurdles to personal challenges. But I've learned that setbacks are part of the journey. Playing the trombone is not just about fixing technical issues; it's about being a good person, enjoying the process, and transmitting the joy of music.
Get ready to dive deep into the world behind the brass curtain. In this episode, we'll unravel the intricate nuances of trombone competitions. I'll be questioning the very fabric of judging criteria, sharing candid insights into the influence of teachers, and exploring the real purpose of competitions. We'll also delve into the impact on musicians' development and the often-overlooked role of orchestral positions in shaping solo careers. Hope you enjoy!
00:00:00 - 00:03:48: The Paradox of Competitions in Music
- Exploring the historical significance of European trombone competitions, their impact on solo careers, and the paradoxical nature of competitions in the music industry.
00:03:48 - 00:06:13: The Blind Spot of Trombone-Centric Judgments
- Discussing the perspective of trombone players, the influence of personal taste in competitions, and the need for a broader, more musically relevant judging panel.
00:06:13 - 00:09:49: Conflicts of Interest and Lack of Fairness
- Addressing conflicts of interest in competitions, the compromised appearance of fairness, and the challenge of maintaining integrity in judging panels with personal connections.
00:09:49 - 00:13:35: Rethinking the Purpose of Competitions
- Questioning the true purpose of competitions, emphasising the need for relevance to a professional career, proposing the inclusion of agents on judging panels, and critiquing the current focus on preparation over performance.
00:13:35 - 00:19:22: Beyond Taste: A Call for Impartiality
- Advocating for an impartial judging process, drawing parallels with wine tasting, and challenging the simplistic judgment based on personal taste in competitions, with a focus
00:19:22:17 - 00:23:31:13 The Role of Competitions in Music
- Discussion on the impact of competitions on musicians' careers. Emphasis on the importance of adequate training and responsibility for both teachers and participants
00:23:31:15 - 00:24:52:15 Jury Feedback and Competition Integrity
- Insights into the jury feedback system in competitions. Calls for a more constructive feedback system.
00:24:52:17 - 00:25:45:02 Rethinking Trombone Competitions
- Critique of the current format of trombone competitions and a call for positive changes. Expresses the need to consider alternative perspectives, possibly involving musicians from different instruments in jury panels.
00:25:45:04 - 00:33:14:12 Becoming a Soloist: Challenges and Opportunities
*Exploration of the path to becoming a soloist, highlighting the experiences of successful trombonists like Christian Lindberg and discussing the role of orchestral positions in fostering solo careers.
00:33:14:12 - 00:36:56:00 Building a Solo Career: Advice and Reflection
- Reflections on defining a soloist, the importance of determination, and the role of orchestral positions in solo opportunities. Offers advice on aspiring soloists and expresses gratitude for the community.
Join me as I ramble through duality in the classroom, my dad's dogs, Marco Pierre White and perfection.
Want to know how he has achieved what he has achieved and what makes him tick? I found the interview fascinating, not least because he was so open. I think you are going to enjoy this one!
Does the end of the pandemic spell disaster for YouTube sensations? Opinion given as fact, and many other topics including how to enjoy practicing scales and the truth about practice mutes!
In this episode I talk all around this famous statement, encompassing being extra ordinary, the difference between concentration and awareness, plus a smattering of scales and regular bowel movements!
Jeremy and I have so many interesting chats - here is your chance to eavesdrop! You will hear all about Jeremy's musical beginnings and you'll hear me put him through his pedagogical paces ;)
I was fortunate enough to visit two very beautiful, yet very different coastal resorts this autumn. Here are my experiences. Plus, I couldn't help but add my few words to the many already written about the passing of Bernard Haitink.
Join me as I discover a form of spirituality in the practice room and am reminded of the communion of music. Also, a call to action to make sure that the arts are never sidelined again.
Follow my adventures in organising the fairest and most representative competition I can, plus take an amusing look at my childhood and Arthur Pryor.
Lots of great questions. Apart from the above: how to have a lucky day and inventiveness in the practice room.
Following some big questions raised by Matthew Bragstad, Tim Riordan and Tony Boorer I've been tempted into some big answers! LAUNCHING MY COMMUNITY: if you want to keep up to date as I build and launch my own community, follow the link below and sign up for the newsletter! https://www.ianbousfield.com/contact
As a well-documented solo competition sceptic, I felt it important to discuss this matter, particularly as a solo competition in my name has just been announced! If you are interested, you can find out more here: https://getzen.com/gazette/2020/12/22/getzen-announces-first-annual-ian-bousfield-internation-tenor-trombone-solo-competition/
Behind every form of beautiful human expression are we going to find a mathematical formula? And, where Margaret Thatcher got it wrong with the unions; she should have listened to musicians and looked at management structures in self-governing orchestras. Enjoy!
Parameters. How do we judge what is good and what is bad, and how does this lead to some countries thinking they produce better brass players than the others?! Choice of bell metal, and which way around should a section sit.
Tune in to learn about hissing noises when you play and more ghost busting, plus the distance classes I've been doing.
What would great conductors of yesterday make of our current situation? Playing wet or dry, and how to cope long-term in an orchestra (if we ever get back into one! Haha!). Hope you enjoy!
I was so grateful for all of your input. Here are some of my thoughts on the 1st batch of questions! More to come.....
A very personal account of the time leading up to leaving London and some insights into my life in Vienna.
As I end my first experiences with distance learning and disappear off for the summer, I wanted to share with you some of the incredibly positive experiences I've had and advise you as to where to go from here. Let's hope this is not installment 1 of distance learning, but the only installement of enforced distance learning!
Tougher than I expected it to be, here is Part 2 of my Desert Island Discs. Find out the remaining pieces of music I would choose to be alone with!
I've spent the last 3 months of my life sifting through all of the musical influences that have brought me to where I am. Here is my shot at Desert Island Discs!
I thought you might be interested to keep up to date with distance learning from my perspective. Also, with so much free stuff online for students, I ask whether it is really necessary.
This podcast largely responds to some great points raised by Peter Bassano, and I also look into how we move forward from here.
I think the old recordings are better than what we do now. What can we learn from them and how can we take this into the future?
I had a wonderful time talking to two people who love what they do as much as any musician loves what they do. I found it a wonderful insight!
In this podcast I examine the different and slightly unconventional angles we need to take to get the best out of this medium. In difficult times we have to get inventive, and let's find the positive things we can take out of this!
So many people think much more about eating healthily. It would be much better for our playing if we took the same care over what we listen to!
At a certain point in our development it is critical that we focus exclusively on the player and the musician we have worked to become.
I got such great questions from Bill Stanley and Ingrid van Ooosterhout that I've done a whole podcast just based on them. See a brief list of the questions below. Hope you enjoy! Excerpt Preparation Solo Competitions Commissioning New Works Talent from Britain and the Netherlands Practice Routines for Amateurs
In this episode I try to look at this thorny subject from everybody's perspective. The composer, the conductor, the colleagues and, of course, us, the trombones.
And now, for Part II of the interview with Rex Martin! Get ready for a big one. Part I, interesting as it was, was more of a friendly chat. I was astonished at how directly and precisely Rex answered my technical questions in Part II. Also look out for a couple of funny moments!
In this episode I cover the following questions sent in by you great people out there! 00:25 How do you ensure you nail everything the way you hear it in your head? 10:25 My feelings about the importance (or lack thereof) of a daily routine 19:05 How does one keep the passion for music and practice alive when having to work full time? 27:10 Dealing with the different approach conductors bring and what has changed over the years Hope you enjoy, and if you have a question yourself, get in touch at www.ianbousfield.com!
First in the series, Heroes of Pedagogy🏅🎙🎧, a short list of people who I believe are the most important influences in brass teaching. What better place to start than with the great Rex Martin? This interview was so epic that it will be released in two parts. Stay tuned for Part II!
We all love the individual identity of musical organisations. But can tradition sometimes just be an excuse for technical weaknesses and protectionism?
Playing the New Year's Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic was an incredibly special experience for me. Tune in for a glimpse into what it is like from the inside!
Tune in to hear my experience with nerves, my thoughts on dealing with nerves and at the end my practical checklist for dealing with nerves. Hope it helps!
A recent social media post brought the nerd out in me even more ;) Here are my thoughts!
In this episode I share with you the inescapable truth of what it takes to make it at the highest level - and it may come as a surprise. Enjoy!
The QandA session was a such a huge hit, so here are some more questions from you all. Hope you enjoy it! Show notes: 01:00 - balancing work and life 09:00 - what kind of tools do I use for my students (apps, breathing, recording, etc.) 14:30 - my preparation for a world premiere solo with orchestra 19:26 - adapting to a new city and orchestra. From LSO to VPO, from London to Vienna 36:00 - what to do when waiting for entrances in orchestras 48:45 - what do you do with your mind, how do you keep your concentration when you are waiting to play in an orchestra
We all have people in our lives who have had a huge influence on us. Denis Wick has been a great impact on me throughout my life, and in this podcast I hope you get to learn a little more about him and the influence he had on me as a trombone player, business person and musician.
In this podcast I describe what it was like to work with and be inspired by one of the most natural brass players ever to put a mouthpiece on their face. Many of you will know him to be the trumpet sound behind Star Wars soundtracks. I knew him closely as a colleague, mentor and friend. Get to know him a little better through this.
Not just being about viola jokes, although there are one or two in there ;), this is a podcast on the inspiration I received from the viola section in the Vienna Philharmonic.
In this podcast I attempt to answer all of the wonderful questions that you posted on social media. Some brilliant questions, and I hope that you find the answers interesting. You will find the show notes below with minute markers for specific questions, but please make sure that you listen to the first 3 to 4 minutes of the podcast, as this puts everything in perspective. 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Equipment: The importance of the right equipment, how to find/pick it and other aspects to consider 09:30 - Leeds United! 10:30 - Difference in sound and style concepts between the London Symphony and Vienna Philharmonic 14:40 - Competitions 23:05 - Key factors of becoming a successful trombonist and musician 25:10 - Playing by memory - is it a necessity? 26:43 - Controlling the facial muscles 27:45 - How to get a strong embouchure and relax the throat + breathing 30:30 - Composing for trombones 31:54 - Dealing with problematic students 32:48 - Mental Preparation 35:46 - Crossing between orchestral and solo playing 38:35 - Advice I'd give my younger self 40:18 - Regrets in my career 41:49 - Being a non-orchestral trombonist and the stigma 45:24 - How to prepare for recitals 49:23 - Stamina in recitals
This is to help guide you as to how to plan your life and your career, starting with your days as a student.
How we speak to ourselves while we are playing and are practicing is of enormous importance. In this podcast I tell you how I learnt as a child and the attitude that was put in my head by my father.
Welcome to the Ian Bousfield Experience! In this first podcast ever, I just briefly explain why I wanted to start. Enjoy, and stay tuned!