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Consistancy Issues

Last post 03-24-2008 4:44 AM by Cul. 3 replies.
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  • 03-13-2008 7:31 PM

    Consistancy Issues

    Hello everyone. I am new to basstrombone.nl. I've seen quite a few insightful ideas from all of you so I'm seeking a little advice. I'm having some issues with keeping my tone quality consistant throughout the entire range of the bass trombone. I've been doing A LOT of relaxed LOOOONG tones, and yes, they are helping with the range, but I am not seeing much improvement in the tone quality throughout the horn. For example: I can, for the most part keep my lower register studies sounding even and consistant, and even the higher stuff (high Bb etc.) sounds pretty solid, but it's when I'm going back and forth between registers that things start to sound a little fuzzy. My goal is to get rid of that fuzz and have pure beautiful tone throughout the entire range of the instrument. Any suggestions, or advice?

    Ryan

    Ryan Swearingen

  • 03-19-2008 2:26 AM In reply to

    • glangfur
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 04-20-2003
    • Boston, MA USA
    • Posts 302

    Re: Consistancy Issues

    Congratulations - you're asking a fantastic question.

    I think there are a few answers to this, and the most relevant ones probably vary at different points of your playing development.

    The two most basic ones are:

    1. You always have to keep a great conception of sound at the forefront of your mind. I think it can be quite difficult to really sound great in the range right around middle C on the bass trombone, and I think this register is key. You have to make sure you have a solid conception of a great, centered, easy sound in that range, and then carry the ease up to the higher register and the center down to the low. It's very easy to fall into the parallel traps of forcing the high register and letting the low register be flabby.

    2. You have to do things - exercises, etudes, etc. - that have you moving between registers, and the most fundamental traditional thing to do is lip slurs. I've been rediscovering lip slurs recently, and really seeing the benefits again. I think one point to make about slurs is that slow ones are important, but so are fast ones - as long as you keep the conception of sound and really listen for quality. Check out Brad Edwards' recent book of lip slurs, and also Paul Faulise's book of exercises for bass trombone. Faulise extends the lip slurs through the valve register - actually playing lip slurs covering many partials with one and two valves down, and then going down even lower into the pedal register. This is great stuff, and really helps develop sound and ease of production all over.



    One more thing: For me, it is very important to practice tonguing, always striving for clear, clean articulations in every register. I do a lot of marcato tonguing in all registers, with very long notes - essentially playing legato but with a marcato tongue. I also very much like practicing triple tonguing, striving to do it clearly in all registers. I find that these things help promote very centered, very efficient tone production and help me to project a solid sound without having to play so loud that I cover other instrumental voices.


    The question you're asking is really a lifelong project. If you're anything like me it's something you'll be trying to make better and better for your whole life. I feel like I've only recently started to get to where I'm happy with this aspect of my playing the majority of the time. And I know I'll never be done making it better.

    Gabe Langfur
    Bass Trombonist
    Rhode Island Philharmonic
    Vermont Symphony

    Adjunct Lecturer of Bass Trombone
    Boston University
    Guest Artist/Teacher in Trombone
    University of Rhode Island

    Artist Representative
    S. E. Shires Co.
    gabe@seshires.com
  • 03-21-2008 2:20 AM In reply to

    Re: Consistancy Issues

    glangfur:
    You always have to keep a great conception of sound at the forefront of your mind.


    ...and I will add something on that topic. One of my big issues (especially since my active athletic days are in the past) is air capacity and control. Once in a while (and especially when doing long tones) I will find myself concentrating more on how many counts I can go in one breath, and my tone suffers. So, when doing long tones--and any kind of exercise--make sure that "great conception of sound" is always a priority. Being able to hit notes and hold them doesn't mean much if your tone is not as good as it could be.

  • 03-24-2008 4:44 AM In reply to

    • Cul
    • Top 75 Contributor
    • Joined on 11-07-2005
    • Bundaberg QLD Australia
    • Posts 35

    Re: Consistancy Issues

    WCharles1662 is correct in saying that air control is an important factor. It is quite interesting to see how many players don't have a good air flow. They produce a very loud volume in playing, but get them to take their mouthpiece out and buzz a few notes - you will find that there is hardly any air flow at all through the mouthpiece. Air control is all about "focus" as well. I do a lot of exercises where I simply buzz without a mouthpiece, blowing air onto my hand which is outstretched in front of my face. Using my hand, I feel that the air is being focused to one point on my hand, and that there is a steady flow of air as I buzz higher and lower. The same exercise is done then with buzzing through the mouthpiece.
    This exercise is assisted by an awareness of using your full lung capacity and the correct posture.
    Good luck.

    Cul

    Cul
    Bundaberg Municipal Band No.1
    Queensland Australia
    (1995 - Present)
    Bach 50B30 & Schilke 59

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