I, too, was once a member of a wind band, struggling with trumpet embouchure and lip fatigue.
I first came across the original edition of this book when I was in high school. I remember borrowing it from the library, and later buying my own copy. I had also read the author’s serialised columns in “Band Journal” magazine.
This great book, To All Wind Instrument Players: A Dentist’s Advice, has now been re-released as a “New Revised Edition”. Re-reading it after a quarter of a century, I am struck by the visionary perspective of the author, Kazuaki Nemoto, who was born in 1931. In an era when “grit and determination” were far more prevalent than they are today—something I experienced firsthand—this book is consistently based on what we would now call “scientific theory and evidence”. His sincere approach is evident throughout, such as when he clearly notes where clinical cases are limited. On the other hand, his profound insight into music and performance, along with his broad knowledge, reveal the dignified aura of a pre-war intellectual.
In the afterword, he writes, “I wrote this for the next generation.” Thirty-eight years after the first edition, I wondered about the current situation and searched for “wind instruments dental treatment” on Google. I was deeply moved by the results. I found many articles introducing the book, and even dental clinics practising and updating his methods. Mr Nemoto’s vision has truly reached the current era and has saved many wind players over the decades.
I should mention that the original edition included an essay-style chapter titled “Only as I Think,” which was omitted from this revised edition for structural reasons (or perhaps because the writing was a bit too blunt for modern times…?). Reading the sharp closing line, “There is no medicine for such a fool!!”, the emotion I felt from the search results came back to me all over again.
I highly recommend this book not only to wind players but also to school band directors. Please do pick up a copy of this new edition.
