I didn't read it, Brad. Not until after posting.
Guys give it a rest. This is so idiotic. Do your own freaking thing. You having not convinced someone else of your views does not hinder your success in following them.
You were able to deduce that the thread was idiotic AND that no one has managed to convince anyone of anything BEFORE you even read it?
Along with some of the mind reading attempts we saw earlier, I find that amazing.
Ultimately, why should you care what I and a handful of others choose to discuss? Of course this will not interest everyone - just as I have no need to look at discussions asking about what backs of cards are the kewlest, or when the next hyped DVD will come out.
However, even though I see NO value at all in those types of threads (except to those who stand to make money off the presales) I all those people to fill their heart and minds with what they think are important.
I find this topic interesting and (when on topic) important. I think choosing models is a critical step for any student. I studied with one of the greatest trumpet teachers who ever lived, and he constantly impressed upon us the importance of listening and studying those who were better than us. In fact, he said, if you can listen to a recording of a great musician and then, when listening to yourself, can hear the difference, someday you could become as great as they.
The problem, he pointed out, is when someone listens to a great and themselves and CANNOT hear a difference.
So true.
On a related note: he never once suggested we listen to people more well known than us, though sometimes that just happened to be true. In fact, one noted trumpet player was not at all respected because, ironically, his award winning album burned through miles of tape in order to make it's final version. In other words, that trumpet player could not perform the songs he won for in real life.
Unlike magicians who take this path, he only did that once. He realized that people attending the concerts were disappointed that he could not live up to the level of virtuosity he had implied he possessed. He also knew that he had lost a lot of people's respect and this was not a direction he wanted to encourage others to take.
As my teacher said, "I will edit to save a great performance, not create one."
We listened to lots of great trumpet players, some the public NEVER heard of. But our goals were not to get famous. Our goals were to develop skill, hone talent, and cultivate a musical ear.
Then, after one developed the requisite skills on their instrument did one think about getting a job, or doing a recital, or fame.
SO, who should be our models and why?
That's the central question and one that can have profound impact on any student or artist.