The Influence Of William Adam's Pedagogy In Teaching Methods Of His Second-Generation Students

Abstract

Professor William Adam taught trumpet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music for 42 years from 1946-1988. His reputation lies among the most influential trumpet teachers of the last century. His students openly speak of the overwhelming influence Adam had not only on their trumpet playing, but also on other aspects of their lives. Important characteristics of Adam’s pedagogy include enhancement of the student’s positive self-image, allowing musical thoughts to develop the student’s physical aspects, and the teacher consistently modeling a beautiful musical product in lessons. “First-generation” Adam students studied directly with Adam, and many of them have extensive performing and teaching careers. These three characteristics are important in their teaching studios. First-generation Adam students consistently instill these ideals in a second generation of Adam students. The efficacy of Adam’s pedagogy is strong enough that his influence is evident not only in his direct students’ teaching, but also in the teaching studios of second-generation Adam students. This evidence demonstrates that Adam’s pedagogy is a viable way to teach.