Jerome Callet, American instrument designer, educator, and author

Jerome Callet: A Visionary in Brass Pedagogy and Instrument Design

Jerome Callet, born on April 24, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and passing away on May 13, 2019, left an indelible mark on the world of brass playing as both a distinguished embouchure clinician and an innovative designer of brass instruments and mouthpieces. His profound dedication stemmed from a belief that the true art of brass playing had been sidetracked by generations of instructional missteps and equipment designed to compensate for these very shortcomings.

Callet's most significant contribution arguably lies in his remarkable rediscovery of an original brass embouchure technique, a method widely employed in Europe during the Baroque era. This technique, crucial for producing the characteristic vibrant sound of brass instruments, was traditionally transmitted verbally, often within families or guilds of trumpet players, from masters to their sons. It continued to be the foundation for many great classical and jazz players through the first half of the 20th century. However, despite being documented in some of the earliest brass instruction books published in France in the late 1800s and in a few American trumpet method books from the early 20th century, the nuanced instructions somehow became mistranslated or misinterpreted by subsequent generations of teachers. This unfortunate drift, Callet believed, significantly altered the trajectory and quality of brass playing and instruction for over a century, leading to widespread challenges among players.

The Journey to Superchops: From Personal Struggle to Pedagogical Breakthrough

Callet's own journey with the trumpet began at the age of thirteen, ignited by the musical prowess of his schoolmates, Cal Massey and Tommy Turrentine, at Herron Hill Junior High in Pittsburgh. Despite studying diligently with accomplished trumpet instructors in the Pittsburgh area and dedicating himself laboriously to mastering the instrument, he faced a common and often frustrating hurdle: by the age of thirty, he still struggled to consistently play a high C, a benchmark note for many brass players indicating advanced control and range. This personal challenge spurred an intensive quest for understanding.

Beginning in 1947, Callet embarked on a meticulous research endeavor, delving into the physical elements and mechanics required to develop what he termed a “Super Power Embouchure.” He drew inspiration from legendary figures in brass playing whose effortless command of the instrument was awe-inspiring, including the likes of Harry James, known for his incredible range and power; Charlie Shavers, a master of technical brilliance; the formidable German trumpeter Horst Fischer; the unparalleled French classical virtuoso Maurice André; and the high-note wizard, Maynard Ferguson. After years of relentless trial and error, often involving deep anatomical study and experimentation with various lip and facial muscle configurations, Callet finally achieved his breakthrough in 1970, at the age of 40. He named his innovative methodology "Superchops," a system designed to unlock a player's full potential by optimizing embouchure mechanics. This development not only transformed his own playing but also ignited a new passion: to design and produce trumpets and mouthpieces that would genuinely complement and enhance this rediscovered technique, rather than compensate for perceived flaws in modern playing.

Forging Instruments: A Legacy of Design and Craftsmanship

Callet's immersion into the business side of musical instruments was built on a rich foundation of experience. He spent sixteen years, from 1953 to 1968, honing his skills in sales for the esteemed instrument maker Elden Benge, a name synonymous with high-quality custom trumpets. Following this, he dedicated eight years, from 1968 to 1975, to working alongside Dominick Calicchio, another titan in the world of custom trumpet manufacturing. From these two brilliant men, Callet absorbed an immense amount of practical knowledge and intricate understanding of trumpet design and construction. Coupled with his own natural talent as an accomplished machinist, this rich background empowered him to translate his embouchure theories into tangible instruments.

In 1973, Callet proudly released his first line of trumpet mouthpieces, specifically designed to complement and facilitate the "Superchops" embouchure theories he had developed. A decade later, in 1984, he launched his first trumpet under his own distinguished brand name. Throughout these years of innovation, Callet also shared his expertise directly, teaching embouchure technique first in Pittsburgh starting in 1960, and then expanding his instruction to New York from 1972 until April 2019, just a month before his passing.

His unwavering quest to create the finest brass instruments possible culminated in some truly remarkable achievements. The “New York Soloist” Bb trumpet, released in 2013 and meticulously crafted by the renowned Kanstul Musical Instruments, stands as a testament to his vision. Similarly, his 1ss, 1sc, and 1sb trumpet mouthpieces, released in 2017 and expertly built by Jim New, represent the apex of his mouthpiece designs. Callet's extensive historical legacy in instrument manufacturing encompasses a wide array of models, each designed with specific musical applications in mind:

• Trumpets: “Sima Bb,” "Sima C," "Sima D/Eb," “Jazz Bb,” “Superchops Bb,” “Symphonique Bb,” “Symphonique C,” “Stratosphere Bb,” and previous “Soloist Bb”
• Flugelhorns: "Grand Prix," earlier “Jazz,” and "NY" models
• Trombones: "Jazz" trombone

Over his illustrious career, more than 6,000 Callet trumpets and an impressive 15,000 Callet mouthpieces were manufactured, solidifying his impact on brass musicians worldwide.

Educator and Author: Spreading the Knowledge

Jerome Callet was not only an inventor and designer but also a dedicated educator. He authored five seminal books that profoundly influenced brass pedagogy: Trumpet Yoga (1971), Brass Power and Endurance (1974), Superchops (1987), Beyond Arban (1991), and Trumpet Secrets (2002). These publications offered detailed insights into his embouchure theories and techniques, guiding countless players toward greater proficiency and musical expression. Furthermore, he produced the Master Superchops DVD in 2007, providing a visual and auditory guide to his methods. To reach an even wider audience, Callet traveled extensively, conducting highly sought-after brass embouchure clinics across the globe, including various locations in the United States, Canada, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Hungary, and Japan. Through his teaching, writing, and instrument design, Jerome Callet left an enduring legacy that continues to shape and inspire brass players and educators around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jerome Callet

Who was Jerome Callet?

Jerome Callet was a highly influential brass embouchure clinician and a distinguished designer of brass instruments and mouthpieces. He is renowned for rediscovering and promoting an original Baroque-era brass playing technique and developing his "Superchops" methodology.

What was Callet's primary contribution to brass playing?

His primary contribution was the rediscovery and revitalization of an older, more efficient brass embouchure technique, which he believed had been lost or misinterpreted over generations. He codified this technique into his "Superchops" methodology and designed instruments and mouthpieces specifically to complement it.

What is "Superchops"?

"Superchops" is the name Callet gave to his innovative embouchure methodology, which he developed after years of research and personal struggle. It is a system designed to optimize the physical mechanics of brass playing, allowing musicians to achieve greater range, power, and endurance.

When did Jerome Callet begin designing his own instruments and mouthpieces?

He released his first line of trumpet mouthpieces in 1973, which were designed to align with his embouchure theories. His first trumpet under his own brand name followed in 1984.

Did Jerome Callet teach others his embouchure techniques?

Yes, he was a dedicated educator. He taught embouchure technique in Pittsburgh starting in 1960 and later in New York from 1972 until April 2019. He also conducted numerous brass embouchure clinics internationally and authored several influential books and a DVD on the subject.

What instruments did Callet design and manufacture?

Callet designed a wide range of brass instruments, primarily trumpets, but also flugelhorns and a trombone. Notable trumpet models include the “New York Soloist,” “Sima Bb,” “Jazz Bb,” “Superchops Bb,” and “Symphonique Bb,” among others. He also designed many trumpet mouthpieces, including the 1ss, 1sc, and 1sb models.

What books did Jerome Callet publish?

He authored five significant books on trumpet embouchure and technique: Trumpet Yoga (1971), Brass Power and Endurance (1974), Superchops (1987), Beyond Arban (1991), and Trumpet Secrets (2002). He also released the Master Superchops DVD (2007).