The life and teaching of Donald S. Reinhardt: Brass Pedagogue, 1908-1989
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Abstract
Donald S. Reinhardt (1908-1989) was an instructor of brass students for a span of over fifty years. According to The Reinhardt Foundation, he taught approximately 5000 students. His theories about embouchure and use of air, coupled with his ability to analyze brass players' individual dental characteristics, led him to develop paradigms of brass playing and a corresponding approach to teaching brass students. Most important among the corpus of his work was the development of nine embouchure categories, or types, into which he believed brass petformers could be assigned and for which he developed specific pedagogical approaches. The various embouchure types, according to Reinhardt, are a result of differing physical characteristics among performers.
Many students, amateurs and professionals alike, attest to having benefited enormously from Reinhardt having analyzed their embouchures, placing them into one of his distinct categories, and then giving them specific guidelines pertaining to the physical act of playing their instrument. Many of Reinhardt's students have had careers as professional performers, particularly in the jazz and commercial idioms.
Reinhardt documented his work in the 1942 publications Pivot System for Trumpet and Pivot System for Trombone, in which he articulated his theories regarding embouchure classifications and provided a description of a motion he termed the "pivot." He published a much more detailed Encyclopedia of the Pivot System in 1964 in order to expand upon his theories and describe them in detail. In addition to these and other publications, he also produced unpublished materials in the form of personalized instructions and exercises.
Reinhardt's theories are considered foundational by many former students as well as some second and third generation students. In some cases, however, they have been misunderstood by those who have only read or heard about them. This biographical study of Reinhardt's life and work addresses his methods, his students, and his influence on brass instruction and performance.
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Thesis (D.M.A.)--Boston University