TBJ134: Rex Martin on online lessons,  Arnold Jacobs and tuba mute hatred

TBJ134: Rex Martin on online lessons, Arnold Jacobs and tuba mute hatred

Author: Pedal Note Media March 31, 2020 Duration: 1:17:17
TBJ134: Rex Martin on online lessons, Arnold Jacobs and tuba mute hatred. Master pedagogue (and Andrew's former teacher) and tuba soloist Rex Martin shares stories and insights with Andrew & Lance from his new home in Bern, Switzerland.
 
From his Wikipedia Page:
 
Rex Martin is one of the world's virtuoso tuba players, appearing on over 70 symphony orchestra recordings. He primarily studied under Edward Livingston and Arnold Jacobs, though he also took lessons with Edward Kleinhammer.
 
Martin is Professor of Tuba at the Bern University of the Arts in Bern, Switzerland, and Professor of Music Emeritus at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
 
He was raised in Stronghurst, Illinois and graduated from high school in Chillicothe, Illinois. He married Margreth Trümpi of Ennenda, Switzerland in 1989.
 
In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:
  • Andrew's fear of a future grade
  • The bursar's office
  • Phish tickets
  • Retirement from Northwestern
  • Wife/Life in Bern, Switzerland
  •  Teaching at the Bern University of the Arts
  • Joining faculty at the Royal Academy in London (Distinguished International Professor of Brass)
  • Dean Martin
  • Gold Diggers
  • Andrew late for his lesson story
  • Rex hates lateness
  • Rex and Arnold Jacobs
  • Studying with Ed Livingston at Illinois State
  • "But let's work on your tone"
  • The disconnect between Arnold Jacob's legend and Rex's experience
  • High standards and psychology
  • Developing the ability to hear low pitches
  • The influence of Bud Herseth and Ed Kleinhammer
  • "Tonight you can have as many beers as you want!"
  • Andrew playing for Mallorie Thompson
  • Ed Livingston's influence
  • Andrew hearing Rex playing the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto
  • Muted tuba
  • Mean Rex
  • Mike Roylance international online tuba hang
  • Teaching online (what works and what doesn't)
  • Gr8
  • In online lessons, the use of scales and deep listening assignments
  • Knuckleheads practicing on Facebook
  • Tokyo 7-11 and Tom Waits
  • Jen Snow
  • Keeping time as a tuba player

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

 
 

Hosted by Andrew Hitz, who spent years on the road as the tuba player for Boston Brass, The Brass Junkies dives into the lives and minds of world-class brass musicians. This isn't a formal lecture series; it's a conversation among friends, often with a rotating group of co-hosts joining in, that captures the unique spirit of the music community. You'll hear celebrated performers talk about the gritty realities of practice, the thrill of performance, and the bizarre, funny stories that happen offstage. The discussions roam freely from deeply technical advice and career insights to outright hilarious anecdotes, mirroring the full spectrum of experiences in the music business itself. Produced by Pedal Note Media, each episode of this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in the green room, offering an authentic and unvarnished look at what it really means to be a professional musician. For anyone fascinated by the art and the life behind the brass, from the trumpet to the tuba, this series provides a consistently engaging and human perspective.
Author: Language: Afar Episodes: 100

The Brass Junkies
Podcast Episodes
TBJ222: A Tribute to Lance LaDuke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
The Brass Junkies is coming back! Andrew announces Season 3 (launching spring 2026) with a new format, then reads a heartfelt tribute to Lance LaDuke covering his legendary work ethic, courage, teaching philosophy, impac…
TBJ221: TBJ Gives Thanks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:36
Andrew is joined by seven brass players who share thoughts about a musician they were thankful for in 2023. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com Guests Givin…
TBJ220: Myles Blakemore of The United States Navy Band [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:14
Andrew and guest co-host Dr. Michael W. Nickens are joined by trombonist Myles Blakemore of The United States Navy Band Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com…
TBJ219: Jen Oliverio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:54
Andrew and guest co-host Buddy Deshler are joined by trumpeter, coronetist, and flugelhornist Jen Oliverio Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com Facebook ► ht…
TBJ218: Ryan McGeorge of "The President's Own" Marine Band [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:14
Andrew is joined by Ryan McGeorge, euphonium player for "The President's Own" Marine Band Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com Facebook ► https://www.faceboo…
TBJ217: Marcus Grant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:58
Andrew and guest co-host Michael Nickens are joined by trumpeter and composer Marcus Grant. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com Facebook ► https://www.faceb…
TBJ216: Listener's Choice - All Things Sam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:23
This Listener's Choice is all questions about the late, great Sam Pilafian. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► http://www.brassjunkies.com Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/pray4jen…
TBJ215: Luke Spence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:43
Andrew is joined by trumpet player Dr. Luke Spence, fresh off playing in a dream team trumpet section for the first ever performances of the International Pride Orchestra.Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebras…
TBJ214: Jamie Lipton, John Caputo + Betsy Jones on All Things NABBA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:28
Andrew is joined by three phenomenal euphonium players, Jamie Lipton, John Caputo and Betsy Hones, to talk all NABBA and the British-style brass band scene in the US. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjun…
TBJ213: Jeff Conner from the Brass Career Intensive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
Trumpet player Jeff Conner of Boston Brass joined Andrew for a session on building a world-class chamber ensemble at the Brass Career Intensive. Become a Patron ► https://www.patreon.com/thebrassjunkies/ Show Notes ► htt…