Claude Gordon

Claude Eugene Gordon (April 5, 1916 – May 16, 1996) was an American trumpet player, band director, educator, lecturer and writer.

Claude Gordon

Quotes

• Big breath, chest up!
  • Phrase on one of three rubber stamps Gordon used with students according to Jeff Purtle

• Hit it hard, and wish it well.
  • Common saying of Gordon according to Jeff Purtle in his 2016 eBook titled the same

• Brass playing is no harder than deep breathing.
  • Belief articulated by Gordon and title of his 1987 book, originating from Herbert Clarke

• Watch the tongue.
  • Phrase on one of three rubber stamps Gordon used with students

• The air does the work. The tongue channels the pitch.
  • Common saying of Gordon while working on Tongue Level Exercises according to Jeff Purtle

• Let the air save your lip.
  • Another saying of Gordon according to Jeff Purtle

• Let the air do the work.
  • Another saying of Gordon according to Jeff Purtle

• Rest as much as you play.
  • Frequent cautionary statement made by Gordon

• Lift fingers high, strike valves hard.
  • Phrase on one of three rubber stamps Gordon used with students

• Don't stop where I have, but go further.
  • Gordon's encouragement to students, originally from Herbert Clarke

• You could have a lip strong enough to lift that piano and still not be able to play a low C!
  • Observation by Gordon on the necessary technique to play a pedal tone on trumpet

External Links

• Gordon: Master Teacher by Jeff Purtle, published October 2008 in The Brass Herald
• Gordon Practice Routines by Jeff Purtle, published December 2008 in The Brass Herald
• Lesson with Herbert L. Clarke by Claude Gordon