Re: Is everything ultimately stuffy?


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Posted by Sean Chisham on March 13, 2001 at 15:32:25:

In Reply to: Is everything ultimately stuffy? posted by Anon on March 13, 2001 at 11:35:27:

I have experienced the exact same thing before. You are becoming much more efficient and no longer need to blow as high a volume of air as before to get the same volume of buzz. Try to practice some gradually longer and longer phrases on one breathe to take advantage of this. By working on these very long phrases you will learn to pace your air better and still get the same great sound and projection you are getting now.

When your chops aren't in as good a shape, such as after taking a weeks vacation or somesuch, you might notice that you seem to have to breathe more often and the sound is not as rich. When practicing the right things for a long period of time is sufficient quantities each day, you will soon be able to play twice as long with the same air, yet project twice as well also.

Slow, steady air under little pressure. Try placing your palm in front of your face about 1 foot and blow a well focused easy stream of air while following a piece of music on the music stand. Go ahead and visualize how it will sound and put in the proper articulations and such. Really be picky. Make sure that you blow exactly how you think the world greatest brass player would play it. I like to think of Herseth or Dennis Brain, but you can use whoever inspires you. Do this a couple of times then go immediatelly to the horn and play the exact same way. Go back and forth. This should help with keeping the mental focus and also keeping the air stream steady.

sean



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