How Brass Players Do It

John Ridgeon was born in Barking in 1944. He studied trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music during which time he developed a particular interest in the physical aspects of brass playing. His work as a player, teacher and researcher in this field has led to the publication of a series of books which have become standard works in the brass library.

His lecture tours have taken him to Australia, Japan and the USA in addition to his schedule in Britain, Europe and Scandinavia.

One of the most challenging aspects of his career is consultation work with professional brass players. This brings together his three main areas of interest; music, teaching and physiology of brass playing.

In education John Ridgeon has had appointments as Supervising Brass Teacher for the London Borough of Redbridge, Instrumental Organiser for the London Borough of Barnet and Senior music Adviser for Leicestershire. He established and directed the Instrumental Teaching Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was Chairman of the National Association of Brass Teachers in Education. In 1986 he organised the annual conference of the International Trumpet Guild which brought to London some of the world's finest players and teachers of trumpet. Since 1986 John Ridgeon has devoted his time increasingly to the training of professional musicians in working in education and the wider community, establishing Access to Music which has rapidly become accepted as a leading organisation in the field.

In 1991 he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his outstanding Services to music.