It took Smiley of research and teaching thousands of lessons to develop the BE system. Frustrated with a teaching tradition he felt only helped "natural" players, he set out to create a method that works for everyone , regardless of their age, skill level, or physical characteristics. His BE method is the result of that lifelong mission.
: Critics argue that the "Roll-In/Roll-Out" method can create "embouchure breaks" and that the medical/scientific claims in the "Mind/Body" chapter lack empirical evidence. The Balanced Embouchure: A Review
: The lips are tucked or rolled inward over the teeth, causing the facial muscles to bunch slightly toward the mouthpiece. the balanced embouchure jeff smileypdf
Traditional brass teaching often emphasizes a fixed embouchure setting. Students are told to place the mouthpiece in a specific spot, keep their corners tight, and avoid moving their lips.
At first, the process was frustrating and uncomfortable. Léon's lips felt stiff and sore, and his playing suffered as a result. But he persisted, convinced that the reward would be worth the effort. It took Smiley of research and teaching thousands
Because the muscles balance each other out, the lips do not fatigue as quickly. The reliance on brute force is replaced by efficient mechanics.
At the heart of the Balanced Embouchure method are a series of dynamic range-of-motion exercises. These exercises are designed to teach the lips to be flexible, moving between two extreme positions. : Critics argue that the "Roll-In/Roll-Out" method can
A more widely shared criticism concerns Smiley's chapter on health and wellness. One reviewer described portions as "highly questionable" and noted that a licensed speech therapist who reviewed the chapter "found several misleading or false statements just skimming through a couple of pages". The same reviewer recommended that Smiley simply remove the chapter entirely, as he was "clearly not qualified to give medical advice".
Providing a roadmap for rehabilitation.