Trumpet Player Keith Fiala of Austin, Texas

Trumpet Player Kieth Fiala of Austin, Texas ... grew up in Iowa ... born in Mason City and moved to Des Moines with his mother at a very young age. Kieth's grandparents, uncle, and cousins were in Mason City so he would spend his summers with them. Kieth's uncle was his greatest influence at an early age as he was a trumpet player / band director for the school district. He was Kieth's first trumpet teacher for that summer between 4th / 5th grade. He handed Kieth three albums and told Kieth to listen carefully! The albums were of Maynard Ferguson, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and Tower Of Power !!!! Through grade school and junior high (back in my day) Kieth was known as a "talented" student. As Kieth got in to high school and it became apparent to his mother and step-dad that he was serious about playing, they began talking to Kieth about a "better" career choice. Between that pressure, cars, and girls ... music was a conflicting love. Kieth practiced, but not the right things. He got stuck on high notes because he didn't have a real influential teacher to guide him through this phase of his development.

Kieth was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin to study under Raymond Crisara on a full ride music scholarship ... and they didn't exactly hit it off. Kieth was kicked out of two lessons for swearing (cursing) out of complete frustration. At the end of his first year, Kieth lost his scholarship because of a change in Texas Legislation. They were trying to keep in-state kids in state and out-of-state kids paying full tuition. So, Kieth quit and got a "real job" for the next three years. Being utterly miserable and not having any way of identifying himself, Kieth decided to start playing trumpet again as a hobby. Kieth floundered for the next several years with the same playing problems as before and he couldn't read well, range that stopped at G above High C (on a good day) and couldn't even begin to improvise. At about this time, Kieth met Pops McLaughlin. Pops guided Kieth, but more than anything became his friend. They set a goal for Kieth, to play on Maynard Ferguson's band! In 2004, Kieth got the call from Reggie Watkins to join the band as 3rd trumpet / valet. How could anyone turn that opportunity down? Maynard was Kieth's hero from the age of eight! Kieth now got to be around Maynard, ask questions and learn from the master himself! While on tour, range issues were still popping up, and by the end of 2004, Kieth's Step-Dad was in very bad health. Kieth opted to leave the tour to help his parents. Coming back home, Kieth took a few more lessons from Pops as well as Bob Odneal who had become a great friend while Kieth was touring with The Boss. Through their insight, Kieth was able to solve his range problems, write his book, and work to further his playing career.

Trumpet Player Kieth Fiala studied trumpet with his Uncle Wes Fiala Jr. ... he taught Kieth early on to play melodies. Unfortunately, Kieth's lesson time with him consisted of only one summer. Pops McLaughlin more than anything, he really helped Kieth realize that he was more than what others were saying ... a not so good trumpet player. He became a huge support system for Kieth and still is to this day! Bob Odneal He too is a part of Kieth's support system and is a great friend that Kieth can bounce questions and ideas off of. Maynard Ferguson ... Kieth's true hero! He taught Kieth that he would never be superior to anyone other than his former self. Relates Kieth, "And once I realized that, the joy of playing would return and I could stop competing and start playing. He was right!" Carl Fischer Says Kieth, "Carl is one of those guys that is genuine and really helped me along the way on the tour! I owe a lot of gratitude to him for his guidance and friendship!"

When the subject of good trumpet methods came up Kieth mentioned Herbert L. Clarke Technical Studies! Says Kieth, "This book has been one of the greatest tools in my box as of late. Not just for technical playing, but for range development, jazz styling, control, rhythm, dynamics, power, etc." Kieth relates, "My book "Secrets to Efficient Brass Playing" was written to help other trumpet players understand what I had missed and struggled with for 30 years. Something that I do in my private lessons with students is work on proper technique vs. range. I've found that if I can reinforce a student using air and only using the muscle in the face to support the embouchure as they ascend, their sound, range, endurance, and consistency improves dramatically. Because ultimately, what we're doing is memorizing habits ... good or bad."

Trumpet Player Kieth Fiala's current trumpet is an Austin Winds Stage 470LT with a brushed copper bell. Says Kieth, " I LOVE this horn because of its tone, feel, and versatility� my favorite!" Kieth's Trumpet Mouthpiece is an Austin Winds "Keith Fiala" Model ... says Kieth, "the guys at Austin Winds and I got together and I described what I wanted ... a medium shallow cup with a small diameter ... NORMAL backbore and throat. It feels amazing!" Kieth's Flugelhorn is a Courtios 154R ... the same model that Maynard played. Kieth's Flugelhorn Mouthpiece is a GR 62FL (Kieth is still waiting for the KF model from Austin Winds). Kieth's choice of valve oil is Ultra Pure Oil. Says Kieth, "Maynard turned me on to it and I haven't looked back since."

Kieth counts among his main influences ... Earth, Winds & Fire; Maynard Ferguson; Miles Davis; Arturo Sandoval; Carl Fischer; Maceo Parker; Prince and Nat Adderley. Kieth currently performs in Austin, Texas where he resides with the Temple Jazz Orchestra and R&B group Memphis Train Revue. Kieth teaches at Temple College, Austin School Of Music and records with various Artists in the Austin, Texas area. Kieth has just finished writing a book entitled ... "Secrets to Efficient Brass Playing."

To contact Kieth Fiala ... you can visit Kieth's website at BrassPlayerSolution.com