William Adam (trumpeter)

William Alexander Adam (October 21, 1917 – November 25, 2013) was 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]

William Adam
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Alexander Adam
BornOctober 21, 1917
Kansas City, Kansas
DiedNovember 25, 2013(2013-11-25) (aged 96)
Bloomington, Indiana
Occupation(s)Trumpeter, Lecturer, Pedagogue
InstrumentTrumpet

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 is 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.

He died on November 25, 2013, in Bloomington, Indiana.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Friday, June 18 - 2:00 pm, Master Class: Bill Adam, Gates Concert Hall
  2. ^ "Obituaries". The Herald Times. Bloomington, Indiana. 2013-11-26.
  • William A. Adam (subject), John Harbaugh (host), Stewart Aull (camera), A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet, Fairbanks, Alaska: Stewart Aull/Moving Images (1997) (Videocassette), 3 tapes OCLC 38589681
    1. Interview (90 min.)
    2. Pedagogy (84 min.)
    3. Lecture (82 min.)
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