| William Adam | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 21, 1917 |
| Occupations | Trumpeter, Lecturer, Pedagogue |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
William Adam (also Bill Adam) (born 21 October 1917) is an American trumpeter, respected pedagogue, and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University. He was highly analytical as a teacher, but always avoided discussing the mechanical aspects of trumpet playing with a student. Instead he "taught" by demonstration and by explanation in terms of sound. In his own words, "If your mind leaves the sound of the horn, obstacles will appear." [1]
He gave many lectures throughout his life, but never wrote a book or article on his unconventional approach to trumpet. He believed such a medium was against the very nature of his teaching of trumpet. The only official documentation of his approach in a three-videotape series, A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet. His approach is carried on by his former students, many of whom hold positions at music schools throughout the U.S. and around the world. His students have included many successful trumpet performers and teachers: Chris Botti, Randy Brecker, Jerry Hey, Miroslav Bukovsky, John Rommel, John Head, Robert Burns Jr. (of Earth, Wind & Fire), Pat Harbison, Larry Hall, Charley Davis, Karl Sievers, Greg Wing, John Harbaugh, Bob Platt, Chris Norris, Kevin Kjos (Kutztown University), Mark Wilcox (McMurry University), and many others.