Mistakes are Cool

With Richard Michael, Honorary Professor of Jazz and Bede Williams, Head of Instrumental Studies from the University of St Andrews Music Centre

Mistakes are Cool is an accessible programme for teaching and learning brass through improvisation. It can be used alongside any other more traditional approach, and for some children it may suffice on its own. 

ACCESS MISTAKES ARE COOL BACKING TRACKS

DOWNLOAD THE MUSIC FOR ABO BLUES

StAMP considers the 21 parts of Mistakes are Cool to be about a year’s worth of work, and it is recommended the lessons are approached in order as each lesson builds on the last. The lessons are designed for those who are new to playing brass instruments, and accessible by any player of any instrument of the brass family of any size who can play one note, for example a bottom C on a cornet/trumpet, middle G on a tenor horn, or F on a french horn (all of which give a sounding pitch of Bb). The programme may be of particular interest to brass teachers wishing to develop their students’ ability to improvise.

COMPLETE OUR QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT MISTAKES ARE COOL

Recorded at the McPherson Recital Room, University of St Andrews Laidlaw Music Centre on 21 February, 2022. Audio engineer – Jonathan Kemp; video production – Chris Bragg. All music copyright Richard Michael.